Document:

EX-10.2

  PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

   

  THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is executed by and between NWSS – Powell Storage LLC, an Oregon limited liability company (“Seller”), and SST II Acquisitions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Purchaser”).

   

  In consideration of the mutual covenants and representations herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Purchaser agree as follows:

   

  1.
PURCHASE AND SALE

   

  1.1	Purchase and Sale.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Seller hereby agrees to sell and convey to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from Seller, all of the following described property (herein collectively called the “Property”):

   

  (a)	Land.  That certain tract of land located at 4836 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206, containing approximately 1.48 acres, and being more particularly described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto and made a part hereof (herein, the “Land”).

  (b)	Easements.  All easements, if any, benefiting the Land or the “Improvements” (as defined in Section 1.1(d) of this Agreement).

  (c)	Rights and Appurtenances.  All rights and appurtenances pertaining to the Land, including any right, title and interest of Seller in and to adjacent streets, alleys or rights-of‐way.

  (d)	Improvements.  All improvements and related amenities in and on the Land, comprising approximately 56,474 net rentable square feet of storage space, 524 rental units, and being commonly known as “Northwest Self Storage – Powell Blvd” (herein, the “Improvements”).

  (e)	Leases.  Seller’s interest under (i) all written leases, occupancy agreements and rental agreements (collectively, the “Leases”) for rental units in the Property, including all tenant leasing files, together with all tenant security deposits held by Seller on the “Closing Date” (as defined in Section 6.1 of this Agreement), (ii) all cellular tower leases relating to the Property, if any, as more particularly described on Schedule “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “Tower Leases”), and (iii) all billboard leases relating to the Property, if any, as more particularly described on Schedule “C” attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “Billboard Leases”).

  (f)	Tangible Personal Property.  All appliances, fixtures, equipment, machinery, furniture, carpet, drapes and other items of personal property owned by Seller and located on or about the Land and the Improvements (the “Tangible Personal Property”), including, without limitation, those items of personal property set forth on Exhibit “D” attached hereto, and further including all on-site moving trucks, if any, listed on Exhibit “D” attached hereto (herein collectively, the “Motor Vehicles”).

  

  (g)	Contracts.  Seller’s interest (to the extent the same is assignable) under the “Contracts” (as defined below), other than the “Rejected Contracts” (as defined below).

  (h)	Intangible Property.  All intangible property owned by Seller and pertaining to the Land, the Improvements, or the Tangible Personal Property, including, without limitation, (i) all "yellow page" advertisements, (ii) all transferable utility contracts, (iii) all transferable telephone exchange numbers, including the telephone number 503-470-7741 and the telecopy number ______________, (iv) all plans and specifications, (v) all licenses, permits, engineering plans and landscape plans, (vi) all assignable warranties and guarantees relating to the Property or any part thereof, (vii) all internet websites and other internet related property rights owned by Seller and/or any affiliate thereof and relating to the Property, and the website information (excluding the current domain name), paid search campaigns and local listing information listed on Exhibit “G” attached hereto.  

   

  2.
PURCHASE PRICE

   

  2.1	Purchase Price.  The purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for the Property shall be the sum of Fifteen Million and 00/100 Dollars ($15,000,000.00), subject to prorations and adjustments as set forth in this Agreement, and shall be paid by Purchaser to Seller at the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the “Escrow Agent” (as defined below) on the Closing Date in accordance with wire transfer instructions to be provided by the Escrow Agent.  The parties hereto agree that Purchaser may allocate up to ten percent (10%) of the Purchase Price to goodwill.

   

  3.
EARNEST MONEY

  3.1	Earnest Money.  

  (A)	Purchaser shall deliver to Republic Title of Texas, Inc., 2626 Howell Street, 10th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75204, Attn: Jeff Porter  (“Escrow Agent”), as agent for a national title underwriter acceptable to Purchaser (“Title Company”), within three (3) business days after the “Effective Date” (as defined below), an earnest money deposit (the “Initial Deposit”) in the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($150,000.00).  In the event that Purchaser delivers the “Closing Notice” (as defined in Section 4.1.1 of this Agreement) to Seller, then within three (3) business days following the expiration of the “Approval Period” (as defined in Section 4.1.1 of this Agreement), Purchaser shall make an additional earnest money deposit (the “Additional Deposit”) with Escrow Agent in the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars  ($150,000.00).    

  (B)	The Initial Deposit, together with the Additional Deposit, if delivered hereunder, and together with all interest accrued thereon, are herein collectively called the “Earnest Money”.  The Initial Deposit and the Additional Deposit, if made, shall be invested by the Escrow Agent in an FDIC-insured, interest‐bearing account as Purchaser shall direct.  If the sale of the Property is consummated under this Agreement, the Earnest Money shall be paid to Seller and applied as a credit against the Purchase Price at Closing.  If Purchaser terminates this Agreement in accordance with any right to terminate granted to Purchaser by the terms of this Agreement, the Earnest Money shall be returned to Purchaser by Escrow Agent, and neither party hereto shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement except for such obligations which by their terms expressly survive the termination of this Agreement (the “Surviving Obligations”).

  

  4.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

  4.1	Seller’s Obligations.  Seller shall deliver to Purchaser (at Seller’s expense), within three (3) days after the Effective Date, true, correct, complete and legible copies of all of the due diligence items listed on Schedule “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein with respect to the Property (collectively, the “Due Diligence Items”).  Seller shall provide Purchaser with written notice at such time as Seller determines that all Due Diligence Items have been delivered to Purchaser (the “Due Diligence Delivery Notice”).  Within two (2) business days following Purchaser’s receipt of the Due Diligence Delivery Notice, Purchaser shall confirm in writing to Seller, if such be the case, that all required Due Diligence Items have been received by Purchaser, in which event the date that Purchaser receives the Due Diligence Delivery Notice shall be deemed to be the “Due Diligence Receipt Date” (herein so called) for all purposes of this Agreement.  In the event, however, that Purchaser determines that it has not been provided with all of the Due Diligence Items, then Purchaser shall provide Seller with written notice thereof (the “Missing Due Diligence Notice”), within two (2) business days following Purchaser’s receipt of the Due Diligence Delivery Notice, enumerating with specificity in such notice which Due Diligence Items have not been provided by Seller (the “Missing Due Diligence Items”).  Within two (2) business days following Seller’s receipt of the Missing Due Diligence Notice, Seller shall provide Purchaser with the Missing Due Diligence Items, together with written notice confirming such delivery (the “Missing Due Diligence Delivery Notice”).  Within two (2) business days following Purchaser’s receipt of the Missing Due Diligence Delivery Notice, accompanied by all Missing Due Diligence Items, Purchaser shall confirm in writing to Seller that Purchaser has received all required Due Diligence Items, in which event the date that Purchaser receives the Missing Due Diligence Delivery Notice, accompanied by all Missing Due Diligence Items, shall be deemed to be the Due Diligence Receipt Date for all purposes of this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Purchaser may request additional information, documentation or materials concerning the Property from Seller at any time after the Effective Date, and Seller agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such additional information, documentation or materials to Purchaser, at no cost or expense to Seller, provided it is within Seller’s possession or under its control, and further provided that the delivery or non-delivery of any such item shall in no manner extend the Approval Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.1, should Seller (i) fail to timely deliver the Due Diligence Delivery Notice to Purchaser, as required above, or (ii) fail to timely deliver the Missing Due Diligence Delivery Notice and/or the Missing Due Diligence Items to Purchaser, as required above, then the Due Diligence Receipt Date shall not occur until Purchaser so acknowledges in writing, and until such time as Purchaser so acknowledges the occurrence of the Due Diligence Receipt Date, Purchaser shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Seller, whereupon this Agreement automatically shall terminate, the Earnest Money shall be returned by the Escrow Agent to Purchaser, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder except for the Surviving Obligations.

  4.1.1 	Approval Period.  During the period commencing on the Effective Date and expiring at 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the thirty-eighth (38th) day following the Due Diligence Receipt Date (the “Approval Period”), the following matters shall be conditions precedent to Purchaser’s obligations under this Agreement:

  (a)	Purchaser’s being satisfied, in Purchaser’s sole discretion, that the Property is suitable for Purchaser’s intended use; and

  (b)	Purchaser’s being satisfied, in Purchaser’s sole discretion, with all of the Due Diligence Items.

  

  Purchaser may (but shall not be obligated to) terminate this Agreement by delivering written notice of such termination to Seller at any time prior to the expiration of the Approval Period, if, in Purchaser's sole and absolute discretion, Purchaser decides not to consummate the purchase of the Property contemplated hereby.  In such event, this Agreement will terminate as of the date of such notice, the Escrow Agent shall return all of the Earnest Money to Purchaser, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder except for the Surviving Obligations.  If, in Purchaser’s sole and absolute discretion, Purchaser determines that it desires to consummate the purchase of the Property contemplated hereby, then Purchaser will give written notice thereof (the “Closing Notice”) to Seller, prior to the expiration of the Approval Period.  In the event that Purchaser provides Seller with the Closing Notice, then Purchaser will be deemed to have waived its termination rights under this Section 4.1.1, and the parties will proceed to Closing, subject to all other terms and conditions of this Agreement.  If Purchaser does not give Seller the Closing Notice prior to the expiration of the Approval Period and has not previously terminated this Agreement by written notice to Seller, then this Agreement automatically shall terminate upon the expiration of the Approval Period, and, in such event, immediately following written request to the Escrow Agent from Purchaser, the Escrow Agent shall return all of the Earnest Money to Purchaser,  without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder except for the Surviving Obligations.  

  4.1.2	Title Commitment.	 Seller shall convey good and marketable fee simple title to  the Property to Purchaser at Closing, subject only to the “Permitted Encumbrances” (defined below).  Within five (5) days following the Effective Date, Seller shall obtain, at its sole cost and expense, and deliver to Purchaser, a title commitment (the “Title Commitment”) for a standard form ALTA Owner's Policy of Title Insurance (the “Title Policy”) in the amount of the Purchase Price, issued by the Escrow Agent on behalf of the Title Company, insuring good and marketable fee simple title to the Property, together with legible copies of all exceptions listed therein.  Purchaser shall have ten (10) days following its receipt of the Title Commitment, legible copies of all exceptions listed therein and the “Survey” (defined below), to deliver to Seller written notice of Purchaser’s objections to title (the “Title Objection Letter”).  Seller shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure Purchaser’s objections to title; subject, however, to Seller’s obligation to remove all “Monetary Liens” (as defined below) by Closing.  Seller shall notify Purchaser in writing within five (5) days following Seller’s receipt of the Title Objection Letter concerning which title objections, if any, Seller has agreed to cure.  In the event that Seller does not undertake to cure all of the objections in the Title Objection Letter to Purchaser’s sole satisfaction (or does not timely respond to the Title Objection Letter), then Purchaser shall have the right for five (5) days after receipt of Seller’s response to the Title Objection Letter (or five (5) days following the expiration of the period within which Seller was to so respond) to either (i) waive any such title objection in writing and proceed to Closing (in which event such waived title objection shall be deemed to be a “Permitted Encumbrance”, as defined below), or (ii)  terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Seller and receive an immediate refund of the Earnest Money, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, in which event neither party hereto shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement except for the Surviving Obligations.  All exceptions set forth in Schedule B of the Title Commitment (excluding preprinted exceptions) which are not objected to by Purchaser (including matters initially objected to by Purchaser which objections are subsequently waived in writing) are herein collectively called the “Permitted Encumbrances”.  In the event that any update to the Title Commitment or Survey indicates the existence of any liens, encumbrances or other defects or exceptions (the “Unacceptable Encumbrances”) which were not shown in the initial Title Commitment or Survey and that are unacceptable to Purchaser, in its sole discretion, Purchaser shall within five (5) days after receipt of any such update to the Title Commitment or Survey notify Seller in writing of its objection to any such Unacceptable Encumbrance (the “Unacceptable Encumbrance Notice”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Seller shall have no obligation to take any steps or bring any 

  

  action or proceeding or otherwise to incur any expense whatsoever to eliminate or modify any of the Unacceptable Encumbrances; provided, however, that Seller shall, prior to Closing, eliminate by paying, bonding around or otherwise discharging in a manner satisfactory to Purchaser (i) any Unacceptable Encumbrances that arise by, through or under Seller, (ii) any mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, mechanics’ liens or monetary judgments that appear on the Title Commitment, and (iii) any liens or notices of violation issued by a governmental entity which could, if not cured, become a lien against the Property (“Monetary Liens”).  In the event Seller is unable, unwilling or for any reason fails to eliminate or modify all of the Unacceptable Encumbrances to the sole satisfaction of Purchaser (other than the Unacceptable Encumbrances and Monetary Liens required to be removed by Seller in accordance with the preceding sentence), Purchaser may terminate this Agreement by delivering notice thereof in writing to Seller by the earliest to occur of (i) the Closing Date, (ii) five (5) days after Seller’s written notice to Purchaser of Seller’s intent to not cure one or more of such Unacceptable Encumbrances, or (iii) ten (10) days after the Unacceptable Encumbrance Notice, in the event Seller does not timely respond thereto.  Upon a termination of this Agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Earnest Money shall be returned to Purchaser, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder other than the Surviving Obligations.

  4.1.3	Survey.  Purchaser shall obtain, at its sole cost and expense, a current, as-built survey of the Property prepared by a registered surveyor acceptable to Purchaser (the “Survey”), which may be an update of the existing survey delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.1 above.

  4.1.4	Contracts.  Purchaser shall notify Seller prior to the expiration of the Approval Period which of the “Contracts” (as defined below) Purchaser will require Seller to cancel at Closing (the “Rejected Contracts”), and Seller hereby agrees to cancel same not later than Closing, at Seller’s sole cost and expense.  Additionally, any Contracts which are not assignable shall be the sole responsibility of Seller, shall be cancelled by Seller on or before Closing, and Seller shall and hereby agrees to indemnify Purchaser from any and all liability relating thereto, which indemnification obligation expressly shall survive Closing.

  4.2 	Inspection.  During the Approval Period, at any time and from time to time during normal business hours (and thereafter through the Closing Date), Purchaser may inspect, test, and survey: (a) the Property and any and all portions thereof, including physical and mechanical inspections, (b) all financial and other records pertaining to the operation of the Property, including, but not limited to, all books, records, documents, accounting and management reports of Seller, and (c) originals of all Leases and Contracts.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser must obtain Seller’s prior written approval of the scope and method of any environmental testing or investigation (other than a Phase I environmental site assessment, which shall require no consent or approval of any kind), prior to Purchaser’s commencement of such inspections or testing.  Seller shall cooperate in good faith with Purchaser, Purchaser’s agents and independent contractors in connection with all such inspections, tests and surveys, including obtaining all necessary tenant consents and/or providing adequate notice to tenants regarding Purchaser’s entry into leased areas on the Property, and making available during normal business hours all relevant personnel to answer any questions which Purchaser may have regarding the Property.  Purchaser, at Purchaser’s sole expense, shall repair any and all damage resulting from any of the tests, studies, inspections and investigations performed by or on behalf of Purchaser pursuant to this Section 4.2, and Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold Seller harmless from and against all claims for bodily injury or property damage which may be asserted against Seller arising out of the tests, studies, inspections and investigations performed by Purchaser hereunder, which obligation of indemnification shall survive the Closing or termination of this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall have no liability with respect to matters relating to any pre-existing conditions on the Property.  Prior to any entry onto the Property by Purchaser or any of its agents, Purchaser shall furnish Seller with evidence that Purchaser 

  

  maintains a policy of general liability insurance providing premises/operations coverage included under the per occurrence/general aggregate coverage, having a combined single limit liability of not less than $1,000,000, naming Seller as an additional insured.  All entries onto the Property by Purchaser shall be preceded by not less than 24 hours prior notice to Seller, which may be verbal.  

  4.3	Seller’s Representations and Warranties. 

  (a)Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser that:

  (i) Seller has the full right, power, and authority, without the joinder of any other person or entity, to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform all duties and obligations imposed on Seller under this Agreement,

  (ii) neither the execution nor the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the purchase and sale contemplated hereby, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement conflict with or will result in the breach of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of any agreement or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or any of Seller’s assets is bound,

  (iii) there is no existing or pending (or to Seller’s knowledge threatened) litigation affecting Seller or the Property,

  (iv) Seller has no knowledge of, and has not received any written notice of, any violation of any governmental requirements (including “Environmental Requirements”, as defined below) concerning the Property, which have not been remedied,

  (v) Seller has no knowledge of, and has not received, with respect to the Property, written notice from any governmental authority regarding, any change to the zoning classification, any condemnation proceedings or proceedings to widen or realign any street or highway adjacent to the Property or that otherwise affects the Land or the Improvements,

  (vi) the list of contracts attached hereto as Exhibit “E” (the “Contracts”), is a true, correct and complete list of all service contracts, equipment leases and/or maintenance agreements affecting the Property, and there are no other such agreements affecting the Property,

  (vii) Seller is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of Sections 1445 and 7701 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,

  (viii) except for those tenants in possession of the Property under written leases for space in the Property, as shown on the rent roll attached hereto as Exhibit “F” (the “Rent Roll”), there are no parties in possession of, or claiming any possession to, any portion of the Property,

  (ix) at Closing there will be no unpaid bills or claims in connection with any repair of the Property by or on behalf of Seller that could result in the filing of a lien against the Property,

  (x) the Rent Roll (which is effective as of the date indicated thereon), and as the same shall be updated and recertified at Closing by Seller, is and shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects and no concessions, discounts or other periods of free or discounted rent have been given other than those reflected on such Rent Roll,

  

  (xi) the financial statements delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, and all other information delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, are true, correct and complete in all material respects,

  (xii) Seller has no knowledge, and has received no notice, regarding any environmental contamination on, at or adjacent to the Property,

  (xiii) Seller has not received any written or verbal notice or request from any insurance company or board of fire underwriters (or any organization exercising functions similar thereto) requesting the performance of any work or alterations with respect to the Property, except those as to which Seller has completed remedial action which has been formally accepted as sufficient by such authority or insurer,

  (xiv) there are no employment agreements of any kind to which Seller is a party, including union or collective bargaining agreements, which will be binding on Purchaser after the Closing,

  (xv) Seller has no knowledge of any material defects in the drainage systems, foundations, roofs, walls, superstructures, plumbing, air conditioning and heating equipment, electrical wiring, boilers, hot water heaters or other portions of the Property, and to the best of Seller’s knowledge, the Improvements were constructed substantially in accordance with the plans and specifications for the construction thereof,

  (xvi)  to the best of Seller’s knowledge, the Improvements are free from the presence or suspected presence of any form of mold, including those producing mycotoxins, specifically including, but not limited to, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys,

  (xvii) to the best of Seller’s knowledge, there are no underground storage tanks located on or under the Property, there are no conditions on, at or relating to the Property which are in non-compliance with “Environmental Requirements” (as defined below), and there are no “Hazardous Materials” (as defined below) on, in or under the Property in quantities that require reporting, investigation or remediation under Environmental Requirements,

   

  (xviii)Seller has obtained all necessary certificates, licenses and other approvals, governmental and otherwise, necessary for the operation of the Property and the conduct of its business and all required zoning, building code, land use, environmental and other similar permits or approvals, all of which are in full force and effect as of the date hereof and not subject to revocation, suspension, forfeiture or modification; and additionally, the Property is legally compliant and conforming with all applicable zoning laws, rules and regulations, and

   

  (xix)Seller is in compliance with the requirements of Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sept. 23, 2001) (the “Executive Order”) and other similar requirements contained in the rules and regulations of the office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) and in any enabling legislation or other Executive Orders or regulations in respect thereof (the Executive Order and such other rules, regulations, legislation, or orders are collectively called the “Foreign Asset Orders”).  Neither Seller nor any beneficial owner of Seller (a) is listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by OFAC pursuant to the Executive Order and/or on any other list of terrorists or terrorist organizations maintained pursuant to any of the rules and regulations of OFAC or pursuant to any other applicable Foreign Asset Orders (such lists are collectively referred to as the “OFAC Lists”) or (b) is a person who has been determined by competent authority to be subject to the prohibitions contained in the Foreign Asset 

  

  Orders; or (c) is owned or controlled by, or acts for or on behalf of, any person on the OFAC Lists or any other person who has been determined by competent authority to be subject to the prohibitions contained in the Foreign Asset Orders, or any other anti-terrorism or anti-money laundering laws or regulations, including, without limitation, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, or the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended.

   

  		Seller shall deliver a certificate to Purchaser at Closing recertifying all of the foregoing representations and warranties to Purchaser as of the Closing Date, such that all such representations and warranties shall be deemed made to Purchaser as of the Closing Date.  All of the foregoing representations and warranties expressly shall survive the Closing.

   

  (b)	For purposes of this Agreement,  “Hazardous Materials” shall mean any substance which is or contains (i) any “hazardous substance” as now or hereafter defined in §101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.) (“CERCLA”) or any regulations promulgated under CERCLA; (ii) any “hazardous waste” as now or hereafter defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq.) (“RCRA”) or regulations promulgated under RCRA; (iii) any substance regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.); (iv) gasoline, diesel fuel, or other petroleum hydrocarbons; (v) asbestos and asbestos containing materials, in any form, whether friable or non‐friable; (vi) polychlorinated biphenyls; (vii) radon gas; (viii) any radioactive material, including any “source material”, “special nuclear material” or “byproduct material”, as now or hereafter defined in 42 U.S.C. §2011 et seq.; and (ix) any additional substances or materials which are now or hereafter classified or considered to be hazardous or toxic under “Environmental Requirements” (as defined below) or the common law, or any other applicable laws relating to the Property. Hazardous Materials shall include, without limitation, any substance, the presence of which on the Property, (A) requires reporting, investigation or remediation under Environmental Requirements; (B) causes or threatens to cause a nuisance on the Property or adjacent property or poses or threatens to pose a hazard to the health or safety of persons on the Property or adjacent property; or (C) which, if it emanated or migrated from the Property, could constitute a trespass.  Further, for purposes of this Agreement, “Environmental Requirements” shall mean all laws, ordinances, statutes, codes, rules, regulations, agreements, judgments, orders, and decrees, now or hereafter enacted, promulgated, or amended, of the United States, the states, the counties, the cities, or any other political subdivisions in which the Property is located, and any other political subdivision, agency or instrumentality exercising jurisdiction over the owner of the Property, the Property, or the use of the Property, relating to pollution, the protection or regulation of human health, natural resources, or the environment, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or waste or Hazardous Materials into the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water or land or soil). SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1

  4.4	Conditions Precedent to Closing.  It shall be a condition precedent to Purchaser's obligations to consummate this transaction that (a) all representations and warranties made herein by Seller are true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, and all covenants made by Seller herein are fully complied with, (b) as of the Closing Date, there shall exist no pending or threatened actions, suits, arbitrations, claims, attachments, proceedings, assignments for the benefit of creditors, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceedings that could adversely affect the Property, including the operation or value thereof, or Seller's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) as of the Closing Date, there shall have been no material adverse change in the Property, including the performance thereof,  or in any of the items reviewed by Purchaser during the Approval Period, including without limitation the Due Diligence Items, failing any of which, Purchaser, at its option, and in addition to any other remedy available, shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement and receive a return of the Earnest Money.

  

  5.

  COVENANTS OF SELLER

   

  5.1	Insurance.  From the Effective Date through and including the Closing Date, Seller agrees to keep the Property insured for its replacement cost under its current policies against fire and other hazards covered by extended coverage endorsement and carry commercial general liability insurance against claims for bodily injury, death and property damage occurring in, on or about the Property, in an amount not less than Three Million and no/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00), and to pay all premiums for such insurance prior to the applicable due dates.

   

  	5.2	Operation of Property.  From the Effective Date through and including the Closing Date, Seller agrees to operate and maintain the Property in the normal course of business substantially in accordance with Seller's current practices with respect to the Property, normal wear and tear excepted.

   

  	5.3	Third-Party Contracts. From the Effective Date through and including the Closing Date, Seller agrees to enter into only those third-party contracts which are necessary to carry out its obligations under Section 5.2, which shall be on market terms and cancellable on thirty (30) days written notice or less, without payment of any fee or penalty.  Copies of all such contracts so entered into by Seller shall be promptly provided by Seller to Purchaser.

   

  	5.4	Leasing of Property.  From the Effective Date through and including the Closing Date, Seller agrees not to (i) enter into any new leases, other than month-to-month leases entered into on market terms, but without any discounts or rental concessions, or (ii) amend, terminate or accept the surrender of any existing leases, including the Tower Leases and Billboard Leases, if any, or directly or indirectly grant any discounts or rental concessions to any present or future tenant of the Property, without the prior written consent of Purchaser which may be granted or withheld in Purchaser’s sole discretion.  Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser that (i) no leases have been or shall be entered into with any party that, directly or indirectly, has an ownership interest in Seller, or is otherwise in any manner affiliated with Seller (an "Affiliate"), and (ii) all existing leases have been (and all future leases shall be) entered into only with third parties that are unknown to Seller, any Affiliate of Seller, and their respective officers, directors, principals, managers, members, partners, shareholders, agents and/or representatives.

   

  	5.5	Listing of Property for Sale.  From the Effective Date through and including the Closing Date, Seller agrees to not list, verbally or in writing, the Property with any broker or otherwise solicit or make or accept any offers to sell the Property or enter into any contracts or agreements, including back-up contracts, regarding any disposition of the Property.

   

  	5.6	Obligation to Provide Notices.  Seller agrees to promptly provide Purchaser with copies of any and all notices which Seller receives from and after the Effective Date concerning (i) any proposed or threatened condemnation of the Property, (ii) any alleged violations of the Property with respect to applicable governmental laws or requirements, (iii) any litigation filed or threatened against Seller or the Property, or (iv) any other matter that adversely affects, or potentially could adversely affect, the Property.

   

  5.7	Auction.  Not more than forty five (45) days prior to Closing, Seller will conduct an auction for all units seventy-five (75) days or more past due.  All auctions shall be conducted in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon.  Seller will hold Purchaser and Purchaser’s agents and representatives harmless from any legal actions brought by any tenant as a result of any such auction or any other action of Seller with regard to the sale of a tenant’s property during the period Seller owned the Property.  Seller’s obligations under the immediately preceding sentence expressly shall survive Closing.

   

  

  6.
CLOSING

  6.1	Closing.  Assuming that all conditions to closing have been satisfied and this Agreement has not otherwise been terminated, the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) shall be held at the offices of the Escrow Agent, located at the address set forth in Section 9.1 hereof, on the date (the “Closing Date”) that, subject to Section 9.6 below, is twenty (20) days following the expiration of the Approval Period, provided, however, that if said date falls on either (i) a day that is not immediately preceded by a business day, or (ii) a Friday, the Closing Date shall be on the first business day after such date that is immediately preceded by a business day.  Seller and Purchaser agree that the Closing shall be consummated through an escrow closing with the Escrow Agent acting as escrow agent, and neither party need be present at Closing.    

  6.2	Possession.  Possession of the Property shall be delivered to Purchaser at the Closing, subject only to tenants in possession under the Leases.

  6.3	Proration.  All rents, other amounts payable by the tenants under the Leases and the Tower Leases and Billboard Leases, if any, and all other income with respect to the Property for the month in which the Closing occurs, to the extent collected by Seller on or before the Closing Date, and real estate and personal property taxes and other assessments with respect to the Property for the year in which the Closing occurs, shall be prorated to the Closing Date, with Purchaser receiving the benefits and burdens of ownership on the Closing Date.  To the extent any such rents, real estate taxes, personal property taxes and other assessments with respect to the Property are unknown or otherwise not accounted for at Closing Seller’s obligation to pay its prorata share of said amounts (as calculated in accordance with the previous sentence) to Purchaser shall survive Closing.  Should any rollback or similar taxes be due and payable on or after Closing with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby, such taxes shall be the sole responsibility of Seller, and Seller hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless therefrom, which obligations of Seller expressly shall survive Closing.  Utilities shall be canceled by Seller and reestablished in Purchaser’s name on the Closing Date, if possible; otherwise utilities shall be prorated at Closing.  Any amounts unpaid under the Contracts which Purchaser elects to assume at Closing shall be prorated between Seller and Purchaser at Closing.  

  (a)	If the Closing shall occur before rents and all other amounts payable by the tenants under the Leases and the Tower Leases and Billboard Leases, if any, and all other income from the Property have actually been paid for the month in which the Closing occurs, the apportionment of such rents and other amounts and other income at Closing shall be upon the basis of such rents, other amounts and other income actually received by Seller as of Closing, with Purchaser receiving the portion of all such rentals and other amounts attributable to the period from and after Closing, with the parties agreeing to true-up such proration, to the extent necessary to cause an accurate proration of such income, within ten (10) business days following Closing.  For a period of thirty (30) days following Closing, if any rents which are delinquent as of Closing are actually received by Purchaser, in good funds, all such amounts shall first be applied to post‐closing rents and other amounts due to Purchaser for the period from and after Closing, and the balance shall be paid by Purchaser to Seller within thirty (30) days following Purchaser’s receipt thereof, to the extent, and only to the extent of any rental delinquencies owed by any such tenant to Seller for the period prior to Closing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.3(a), all rentals that are received by Purchaser more than thirty (30) days following Closing shall be retained by Purchaser, and Seller shall have no rights with respect thereto.  If, subsequent to the Closing, any rents or other income are actually received by Seller, Seller shall immediately remit the same, or Purchaser’s prorata share thereof calculated as aforesaid, to Purchaser.  Seller agrees that, after the Closing, it shall not file any eviction action in an effort to collect any outstanding rents that remain owing to Seller after the Closing. 

  

  (b)	If the Closing shall occur before the tax rate or the assessed valuation of the Property is fixed for the then current year, the apportionment of taxes shall be upon the basis of the tax rate for the preceding year, including all matters appearing on the tax bill for such year, whether ad valorem or non-ad valorem, applied to the latest assessed valuation.  The proration shall allow for any available discount.  Subsequent to the Closing, when the tax rate and the assessed valuation of the Property are fixed for the year in which the Closing occurs, the parties agree to adjust the proration of taxes and, if necessary, to refund or repay such sums as shall be necessary to effect such adjustment, which obligation expressly shall survive Closing.

  (c)	Seller shall pay all assessments, contributions, fees and related charges required to be paid upon transfer of the Property pursuant to any declaration or restriction affecting the Property.

  (d)	In the event any prorations made at Closing pursuant to this Section 6.3 are determined after Closing to be incorrect, the parties agree to promptly correct such error.  

  The terms and provisions of this Section 6.3 shall expressly survive Closing.

  6.4	Closing Costs and Credits.  Purchaser shall pay, on the Closing Date, (a) one-half of any escrow fees and other customary charges of the Escrow Agent, (b) all recording costs relating to the Deed, (c) all title insurance costs relating to extended coverage and/or any endorsements desired by Purchaser with respect to the Title Policy, (d) all costs relating to the Survey, and (e) the fees of Purchaser’s counsel.  Seller shall pay, on the Closing Date, (u) one-half of any escrow fees and other customary charges of the Escrow Agent, (v) all costs relating to the termination of Seller’s property management agreement, including any early termination fees, (w) all title insurance costs relating to the base Title Policy in the amount of the Purchase Price, (x) all applicable transfer taxes, grantor’s taxes, documentary stamp taxes and similar charges relating to the transfer of the Property, (y) all costs and expenses relating to retirement of any and all indebtedness secured by the Property, including without limitation prepayment penalties, yield maintenance fees, defeasance costs and the costs of recording all mortgage cancellations, and (z) the fees of Seller’s counsel. Purchaser shall receive a credit at Closing for all security deposits made by tenants under the Leases and for any prepaid rents and other amounts related to months following the month in which Closing occurs.  Additionally, on the Closing Date, Seller shall leave petty cash in the amount of Three Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($300.00) on site at the Property, which amount shall be reimbursed by Purchaser to Seller at Closing as a credit in favor of Seller on the closing statement.

  6.5	Seller’s Obligations at the Closing. At the Closing, or at such other time as indicated below, Seller shall take such action as the Escrow Agent reasonably requires to consummate the transactions made the subject of this Agreement and shall deliver to Purchaser (or cause to be delivered to Purchaser) the following:

  (a)	Deed.  Special Warranty Deed (the “Deed”) conveying the Land and the Improvements to Purchaser, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit “B”, subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances.  The description of the Land provided with the Survey shall be the description used in the Deed.

  (b)	Assignment of Personal Property, Service Contracts, Warranties and Leases.  An Assignment of Personal Property, Service Contracts, Warranties and Leases (the “Assignment”), in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit “C”.

  (c)	Evidence of Authority.  Such organizational and authorizing documents of Seller as shall be reasonably required by the Escrow Agent to evidence Seller’s authority to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

  

  (d)	Foreign Person.  An affidavit of Seller certifying that Seller is not a “foreign person,” as defined in the federal Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, and the 1984 Tax Reform Act, as amended.

  (e)	Leases.  The originals of all of the Leases, and the Tower Leases and Billboard Leases, if any. 

  (f)	Contracts.  The originals of all of the Contracts other than Rejected Contracts, and evidence that all Rejected Contracts have been cancelled.

  (g)	Termination of Management Agreement.  Evidence of the termination of any and all management agreements affecting the Property, effective as of the Closing Date, and duly executed by Seller and the property manager.  

  (h)	Affidavit.  An affidavit in the form required by the Escrow Agent to remove any standard exceptions from the Title Policy, including mechanics’ liens, parties in possession and similar matters, together with a GAP Indemnity.

  (i)	Reaffirmation Certificate.  A reaffirmation certificate in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3(a).

  (j)	Title Policy.  The Title Policy, issued by the Escrow Agent on behalf of the Title Company, in the form required by this Agreement; provided that in the event the Title Policy is not available at Closing, then the Escrow Agent shall provide Purchaser at Closing, at Purchaser’s option, with either (i) a “marked title commitment”, committing to issue the Title Policy in the form required by this Agreement, or (ii) a proforma owner’s title policy, with the Title Policy to be delivered to Purchaser as promptly after Closing as reasonably possible.

  (k)	Motor Vehicles.  Certificates of title, or such other instruments of assignment as may be necessary to transfer title to the Motor Vehicles, if any, to Purchaser at Closing.

  (l)	Cancellation Notices.  Written confirmation that the following notices have been sent: notices to all tenants of the Property who bought an insurance policy directly from Seller or from Seller as agent for a third party (each such policy being referred to as a “Seller Policy”), in such form as is acceptable to Purchaser (collectively referred to herein as “Cancellation Notices”), signed by Seller, and, if applicable, such third party, notifying such tenants that their Seller Policy has been cancelled.  Alternatively, Purchaser may, at its option, deliver such Cancellation Notices on behalf of Seller, or such third party,  to each tenant of the Property who purchased a Seller Policy, and Seller does hereby authorize Purchaser to do so.  Seller agrees to cooperate with, and otherwise assist, Purchaser in implementing Purchaser’s tenant protection plan, including providing information reasonably necessary or advisable for Purchaser to implement same.  This Section 6.5(l) shall survive Closing.

  (m)	Seller’s Closing Statement.  Seller shall execute and deliver to the Title Company a Seller’s Closing Statement, in conformity with the terms of this Agreement, and otherwise in form satisfactory to Seller.

  6.6	Purchaser’s Obligations at the Closing.  At the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to the Escrow Agent the following:

  

  (a)	Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price (net of Earnest Money to be applied against the Purchase Price, and subject to adjustment in connection with prorations, credits and charges hereunder), payment of which shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Escrow Agent. 

  (b)	Evidence of Authority.  Such organizational and authorizing documents of Purchaser as shall be reasonably required by the Escrow Agent to evidence Purchaser’s authority to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

  (c)	Purchaser’s Closing Statement.  Purchaser shall execute and deliver to the Title Company a Purchaser’s Closing Statement, in conformity with the terms of this Agreement, and otherwise in form satisfactory to Purchaser.

  7.
RISK OF LOSS

  7.1	Condemnation.  If, prior to the Closing, action is initiated to take all or any portion of the Property, by eminent domain proceedings or by deed in lieu thereof, Purchaser may either at or prior to Closing (a) terminate this Agreement, in which event the Earnest Money shall be refunded to Purchaser,  without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder, other than the Surviving Obligations, or (b) consummate the Closing, in which latter event all of Seller’s assignable right, title and interest in and to the award of the condemning authority shall be assigned to Purchaser at the Closing and there shall be no reduction in the Purchase Price.

  7.2	Casualty.  Seller assumes all risks and liability for damage to or injury occurring to the Property by fire, storm, accident, or any other casualty or cause until the Closing has been consummated.  If the Property suffers any damage equal to or in excess of Seventy Five Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($75,000.00) prior to the Closing from fire or other casualty, Purchaser may either at or prior to Closing (a) terminate this Agreement, in which event the Earnest Money shall be refunded to Purchaser, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any contrary instructions which might be provided by Seller, and neither party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder, other than the Surviving Obligations, or (b) consummate the Closing, in which latter event all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the proceeds of any insurance covering such damage, and including any and all rent loss insurance proceeds relating to the period from and after the Closing Date, shall be assigned to Purchaser at the Closing and Purchaser shall receive a credit against the Purchase Price at Closing in an amount equal to the sum of (i) Seller’s deductible under its insurance policy and (ii) the amount of any uninsured or underinsured loss.  If the Property suffers any damage less than Seventy Five Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($75,000.00) prior to the Closing, Purchaser will consummate the Closing and accept the assignment of the proceeds of any insurance covering such damage, including any and all rent loss insurance proceeds relating to the period from and after the Closing Date, plus receive a credit against the Purchase Price in an amount equal to the sum of (i) Seller’s deductible under its insurance policy, and (ii) the amount of any uninsured or underinsured loss, and there shall be no other reduction in the Purchase Price.

  8.
DEFAULT

  8.1	Breach by Seller.  Subject to Section 8.3 below, in the event that Seller breaches any of its covenants, representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement, including failure by Seller to consummate this Agreement for any reason, except Purchaser’s default or a termination of this Agreement 

  

  by Purchaser or Seller pursuant to a right to do so under the provisions hereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to either (i) pursue the remedy of specific performance of Seller’s obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event specific performance for any reason is not available, then Purchaser shall be entitled to recover damages from Seller as described in Section 8.1(ii) below, or (ii) terminate this Agreement, receive a refund of the Earnest Money, and pursue an action against Seller to recover any and all damages incurred directly or indirectly by Purchaser and/or any affiliates of Purchaser in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, including consequential damages, punitive damages and lost profits.

  8.2	Breach by Purchaser. Subject to Section 8.3 below, in the event that Purchaser breaches any of its covenants, representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement, including failure by Purchaser to consummate this Agreement for any reason, except Seller’s default or a termination of this Agreement by Purchaser or Seller pursuant to a right to do so under the provisions hereof, Seller, as its sole and exclusive remedy, may terminate this Agreement and thereupon shall be entitled to receive the Earnest Money as liquidated damages (and not as a penalty).  Seller and Purchaser have made this provision for liquidated damages because it would be difficult to calculate, on the date hereof, the amount of actual damages for such breach, and Seller and Purchaser agree that the Earnest Money represents a reasonable forecast of such damages.

  8.3	Notice and Cure.  In the event Seller or Purchaser fails to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement, the non-defaulting party shall provide the defaulting party with notice and five (5) days to cure such default, prior to pursuing any remedies available with respect to such default; provided, however, that (i) no such notice and cure shall be provided with respect to a party’s default in failing to timely close, or with respect to any party’s anticipatory breach of this Agreement, and (ii) in no event shall any such notice and cure period result in an extension of the Closing Date.

  9.
MISCELLANEOUS

  9.1	Notices.  All notices, demands and requests which may be given or which are required to be given by either party to the other, and any exercise of a right of termination provided by this Agreement, shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective either:  (a) on the date personally delivered to the address below, as evidenced by written receipt therefor, whether or not actually received by the person to whom addressed; (b) on the third (3rd) business day after being sent, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the intended recipient at the address specified below; (c) on the first business day after being deposited into the custody of a nationally recognized overnight delivery service such as Federal Express Corporation, addressed to such party at the address specified below,  (d) on the date delivered by facsimile to the respective numbers specified below, provided confirmation of facsimile is received and further provided any such facsimile notice shall be sent, by one of the other permitted methods of providing notice, on the next succeeding business day, or (e) on the date delivered by electronic mail to the respective E-mail addresses specified below.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any notice is sent by E-mail, only attachments to E-mails will be considered notices under this Agreement and nothing within the body of any E-mail will be considered a notice for any purposes under this Agreement.  For purposes of this Section 9.1, the addresses of the parties for all notices are as follows (unless changed by similar notice in writing given by the particular party whose address is to be changed):

  If to Seller:	       	NWSS – Powell Storage LLC

  				 	 Kevin Howard

  	 	 KHRE, Inc. dba Northwest Self Storage

  	5005 SW Meadows Rd., Suite 420

  

  	Lake Oswego, OR. 97035

  	(971) 236-9505 

  					Attn: Kevin Howard

  				Tel:  (503) 570-8503 

  				Fax: N/A

  				E-Mail: khoward@nwselfstorage.com 

   

  with a copy to:		JHJ Properties LLC

  				6840 SW Montgomery Way

  				Wilsonville OR 97070

  				Attn: Tim Warren

  				Tel:  (503) 799-1885 

  				Fax: N/A

  					E-Mail: timwarren186@gmail.com 

   

  If to Purchaser:		SST II Acquisitions, LLC

  				10 Terrace Road

  			Ladera Ranch, CA  92694

  				Attn: H. Michael Schwartz

  				Tel:  (949) 429-6600

  					Fax: (949) 429-6606

  					E-Mail: hms@sam.com

   

  with copies to:		SST II Acquisitions, LLC 

  				8235 Douglas Avenue, #1250

  				Dallas, Texas 75225

  				Attn: Wayne Johnson

  				Tel:  (214) 217-9797

  				Fax: (949) 429-6606

  					E-Mail: wjohnson@smartstop.com; 

   

  And				Flynn Law Offices, P.C..

  					1133 Airline Dr., Suite 2201

  					Grapevine, Texas 76051

  					Attn:  Scott Flynn, Esq.

  					Tel:  (817) 203-2257

  					Fax:  (682) 267-0407

  		E-Mail: sflynn@flynnlawpc.com 

   

  If to Escrow Agent:	Republic Title of Texas, Inc.

  					2626 Howell Street, 10th Floor

  					Dallas, Texas 75204

  					Attn: Jeff Porter

  					Tel:  (214) 855-8820

  					Fax: (972) 516-2512

  E-Mail: jporter@republictitle.com  

   

  9.2	Real Estate Commissions.  Pursuant to a separate written agreement, Seller has agreed to pay Charmel Storage Capital (“Broker”) a real estate commission upon consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.  Except for Seller’s agreement with Broker, neither Seller nor Purchaser has authorized any broker or finder to act on any party’s behalf in connection with the sale and purchase 

  

  hereunder and neither Seller nor Purchaser has dealt with any broker or finder purporting to act on behalf of any other party.  Purchaser agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by Purchaser or on Purchaser’s behalf with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby.  Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by Seller or on Seller’s behalf with any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby, including Broker.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Section 9.2 shall survive the Closing or any earlier termination of this Agreement.

   

  9.3	Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof, and there are no oral or written agreements between the parties, nor any representations made by either party relative to the subject matter hereof, which are not expressly set forth herein.

  9.4	Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by the party or parties to be bound thereby.

  9.5	Headings.  The captions and headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and do not in any way limit, amplify, or otherwise modify the provisions of this Agreement.

  9.6	Time of Essence.  Time is of the essence of this Agreement; however, if the final date of any period which is set out in any provision of this Agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday under the laws of the United States or the State of Oregon,  then, in such event, the final date of such period shall be extended to the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

  9.7	Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon and the laws of the United States pertaining to transactions in such State.

  9.8	Successors and Assigns; Assignment.  This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of Seller and Purchaser and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, personal and legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Purchaser shall be entitled to assign this Agreement, without Seller’s consent, one or more times, to (i) an affiliate of Purchaser, (ii) an entity in which SmartStop OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, SS Growth Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Strategic Storage Growth Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and/or Strategic Storage Operating Partnership VI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, has a direct or indirect ownership interest, (iii) a real estate investment trust of which Purchaser or an affiliate of Purchaser is the external advisor, (iv) a Delaware statutory trust of which Purchaser or an affiliate of Purchaser is the signatory trustee, or (v) a partnership or joint venture in which the Purchaser, or any entity described in paragraphs (i) through (iv) above, has an interest; provided, however, that, until the consummation of the Closing, no such assignment shall release or relieve Purchaser of any liability hereunder.  Additionally, Seller shall be prohibited from assigning all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including its rights in and to all or any portion of the Earnest Money. 

  9.9	Invalid Provision.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall 

  

  be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.

  9.10	Attorneys’ Fees.  In the event it becomes necessary for either party hereto to file suit to enforce this Agreement or any provision contained herein, the party prevailing in such suit shall be entitled to recover, in addition to all other remedies or damages, as provided herein, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in such suit.

  9.11	Multiple Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts which, taken together, shall constitute collectively one agreement; and in making proof of this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart with each party’s signature.  Facsimile and/or electronic signature pages shall be effective for purposes of this Section 9.11.  Any signature (including any electronic symbol or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record) hereto, and any contract formation or record-keeping through electronic means shall have the same legal validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based recordkeeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or any similar state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and the parties hereby waive any objection to the contrary.

  9.12	Effective Date.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Effective Date” shall mean the later of the dates that this Agreement has been executed by Seller and Purchaser, as indicated on the signature page hereof, unless this Agreement is executed by Seller and Purchaser on the same date, in which event such same date shall constitute the Effective Date.

  9.13	Exhibits.  The following schedules and exhibits are attached to this Agreement and incorporated herein by this reference and made a part hereof for all purposes:

  (a)	Schedule A, List of Due Diligence Items

  (b)Schedule B, Cellular Tower Leases

  (c)Schedule C, Billboard Leases

  (d)Exhibit A, Legal description of the Land

  (e)Exhibit B, Form of the Deed

  (f)Exhibit C, Form of the Assignment

  (g)Exhibit D, List of Personal Property

  (h)Exhibit E, List of Contracts

  (i)Exhibit F, Rent Roll

  (j)Exhibit G, Digital Assets 

  (k)Exhibit H, Letter of Representation

  

  (l)Exhibit I, Escrow Holdback Agreement 

  9.14	Tax-Deferred Exchange.  Each party will, upon request by the other party, cooperate as reasonably required to assist the other party in facilitating a tax-deferred exchange.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party will be required to undertake or incur any liabilities or obligations or expend any sums of money in connection with a proposed tax-free exchange for the benefit of the other party.

  9.15	Confidentiality.  Seller and Purchaser hereby covenant and agree that, at all times after the Effective Date and continuing after the Closing, unless consented to in writing by the other party (which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the party whose consent is being requested), no press release or other public disclosure concerning this transaction shall be made by or on behalf of Seller or Purchaser which discloses the Purchase Price or any other economic terms of this transaction, and each party agrees to use best efforts to prevent disclosure of any such restricted information by any third party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) each party shall be entitled to make disclosures concerning this Agreement and materials provided hereunder to its lenders, attorneys, accountants, employees, agents and other service professionals as may be reasonably necessary in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) Purchaser shall be entitled to make disclosures concerning this transaction and materials provided hereunder to its potential debt and equity sources, and (iii) each party shall be entitled to make such disclosures concerning this Agreement and materials provided hereunder as may be necessary to comply with (a) any court order, (b) the directive of any applicable governmental authority, or (c) any applicable securities law, rule and/or regulation.  The provisions of this Section 9.15 shall survive Closing or any termination of this Agreement.

  9.16	Independent Consideration.  Contemporaneously with the execution hereof, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the sum of One Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($100.00), representing independent consideration for the Approval Period and Purchaser’s right to terminate this Contract during the Approval Period.

  9.17	As-Is.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, but subject to Seller’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in the documents to be executed by Seller at Closing, Purchaser shall acquire the Property from Seller at Closing in its then “as-is, where is” condition, without any other representations or warranties from Seller, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, habitability or fitness for a particular purpose.

  9.18	Non-Competition.   Seller shall deliver a non‐compete agreement (the “Non-Compete Agreement”) to Purchaser at Closing in form and content satisfactory to Purchaser executed by Seller and all of the principals of Seller, including, without limitation, Kevin Howard, J. Timothy Warren, Steve Master, and Tim Weiskind (collectively, the “Restricted Parties”). The Non-Compete Agreement shall provide that neither the Restricted Parties nor any of their respective principals, partners, members, managers, directors, officers, shareholders and/or affiliates will directly or indirectly develop, own, lease, manage or operate a self storage facility for a period of three (3) years subsequent to the Closing within a three (3) mile radius of the Property (the “Restricted Area”), provided however, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to self-storage facilities, if any, owned and/or operated by National Storage Affiliates (“NSA”) merely as the result of Kevin Howard, J. Timothy Warren, Steve Master, and Tim Weiskind being shareholders of NSA, but the foregoing shall apply to NSA self storage facilities to the extent Restricted Parties directly or indirectly develop, lease, manage or operate a NSA self storage facility within the Restricted Area. The principals know of no plans by NSA to become involved in the ownership or management of any other facilities in the Restricted Area. 

  

  9.19	Cooperation with Purchaser’s Auditors and SEC Filing Requirements.  From the Effective Date through and including seventy five (75) days after the Closing Date, Seller shall provide to Purchaser (at Purchaser’s expense) copies of, or shall provide Purchaser access to, the books and records with respect to the ownership, management, maintenance and operation of the Property and shall furnish Purchaser with such additional information concerning the same as Purchaser shall reasonably request and which is in the possession or control of Seller, or any of its affiliates, agents, or accountants, to enable Purchaser or its assignee, to file its or their Form 8-K, if, as and when such filing may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).   At Purchaser’s sole cost and expense, Seller shall allow Purchaser’s auditor (BDO USA, LLP or any successor auditor selected by Purchaser) to conduct an audit of the income statements of the Property for the calendar year prior to Closing (or to the date of Closing) and the two (2) prior years, and shall cooperate (at no cost to Seller) with Purchaser’s auditor in the conduct of such audit. In addition, Seller agrees to provide to Purchaser’s auditor a letter of representation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “H” (the “Representation Letter”), and, if requested by such auditor, historical financial statements for the Property, including income and balance sheet data for the Property, whether required before or after Closing. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) Purchaser or its auditor may audit Seller’s operating statements of the Property, at Purchaser’s expense, and Seller shall provide such documentation as Purchaser or its auditor may reasonably request in order to complete such audit, (ii) Seller shall furnish to Purchaser such financial and other information as may be reasonably required by Purchaser to make any required filings with the SEC or other governmental authority; provided, however, that the foregoing obligations of Seller shall be limited to providing such information or documentation as may be in the possession of, or reasonably obtainable by, Seller,  or its agents and accountants, at no cost to Seller, and in the format that Seller (or its affiliates, agents or accountants) have maintained such information, and (iii) Seller and Purchaser acknowledge and agree that the Representation Letter is not intended to expand, extend, supplement or increase the representations and warranties made by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to expose Seller to any risk of liability to third parties. 

   

  The provisions of this Section 9.19 shall survive Closing.

   

  9.20	Force Majeure.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Purchaser shall not be in default under this Agreement and Seller shall not have a right to terminate this Agreement for delay in performing hereunder by Purchaser if such delay is caused by conditions beyond Purchaser’s control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, government restriction, wars, insurrections and/or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of Purchaser (including mechanical, electronic, or communication failure), and any period for Purchaser’s performance hereunder shall be extended by one day for each day of delay caused by events described above in this Section 9.20.

   

  9.21	Environmental.  In the event that Purchaser determines, prior to Closing, that there are conditions on, at or relating to the Property which are in non-compliance with Environmental Requirements or the possibility that Hazardous Materials may exist on or under the Property that will require remediation under any applicable federal or state laws, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Purchaser may terminate this Agreement on or before the Closing Date upon written notice to Seller, in which event, the Earnest Money shall be immediately returned to Purchaser, without the consent or joinder of Seller being required and notwithstanding any instructions to the contrary which might be provided by Seller, and thereafter neither party hereto shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement except for the Surviving Obligations.

   

  9.22	Seller Holdback.  At the Closing, Seller shall deposit the sum of $100,000.00 (the “Escrow Proceeds”) into escrow with the Title Company, pursuant to an escrow agreement in form attached hereto as Exhibit “I” and incorporated herein, to provide a source of recovery for any post-closing claims that Purchaser may have against Seller either under this Agreement or under the documents executed by Seller at Closing.  To the extent a claim is made by Purchaser against Seller following Closing, Purchaser shall 

  

  be entitled to a disbursement of a portion of the Escrow Proceeds equal to the amount of such claim, without limitation of Purchaser’s right to recover the entire amount of any claim against Seller should the then balance of the Escrow Proceeds be insufficient.  The Escrow Proceeds shall be held in escrow until the first anniversary of the Closing Date, at which time any undisbursed Escrow Proceeds shall be released to Seller; provided, however, that in the event a claim is then pending against Seller by Purchaser, there shall be withheld from such disbursement an amount equal to the amount of such claim; provided further, however, that in the event that such pending claim exceeds the then balance of the Escrow Proceeds then there shall be no disbursement to Seller at such time.

   

   

  9.23	Required Notices.

   

  (a)	BEFORE SIGNING OR ACCEPTING THIS INSTRUMENT, THE PERSON TRANSFERRING FEE TITLE SHOULD INQUIRE ABOUT THE PERSON’S RIGHTS, IF ANY, UNDER ORS 195.300, 195.301 AND 195.305 TO 195.336 AND SECTIONS 5 TO 11, CHAPTER 424, OREGON LAWS 2007, SECTIONS 2 TO 9 AND 17, CHAPTER 855, OREGON LAWS 2009, AND SECTIONS 2 TO 7, CHAPTER 8, OREGON LAWS 2010.  THIS INSTRUMENT DOES NOT ALLOW USE OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS INSTRUMENT IN VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAND USE LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  BEFORE SIGNING OR ACCEPTING THIS INSTRUMENT, THE PERSON ACQUIRING FEE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY SHOULD CHECK WITH THE APPROPRIATE CITY OR COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO VERIFY THAT THE UNIT OF LAND BEING TRANSFERRED IS A LAWFULLY ESTABLISHED LOT OR PARCEL, AS DEFINED IN ORS 92.010 OR 215.010, TO VERIFY THE APPROVED USES OF THE LOT OR PARCEL, TO DETERMINE ANY LIMITS ON LAWSUITS AGAINST FARMING OR FOREST PRACTICES, AS DEFINED IN ORS 30.930, AND TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS, IF ANY, UNDER ORS 195.300, 195.301 AND 195.305 TO 195.336 AND SECTIONS 5 TO 11, CHAPTER 424, OREGON LAWS 2007, SECTIONS 2 TO 9 AND 17, CHAPTER 855, OREGON LAWS 2009, AND SECTIONS 2 TO 7, CHAPTER 8, OREGON LAWS 2010.

   

  (b)	THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS INSTRUMENT MAY NOT BE WITHIN A FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT PROTECTING STRUCTURES. THE PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO LAND USE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT, IN FARM OR FOREST ZONES, MAY NOT AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION OR SITING OF A RESIDENCE AND THAT LIMIT LAWSUITS AGAINST FARMING OR FOREST PRACTICES, AS DEFINED IN ORS 30.930, IN ALL ZONES. BEFORE SIGNING OR ACCEPTING THIS INSTRUMENT, THE PERSON TRANSFERRING FEE TITLE SHOULD INQUIRE ABOUT THE PERSON’S RIGHTS, IF ANY, UNDER ORS 195.300, 195.301 AND 195.305 TO 195.336 AND SECTIONS 5 TO 11, CHAPTER 424, OREGON LAWS 2007, SECTIONS 2 TO 9 AND 17, CHAPTER 855, OREGON LAWS 2009, AND SECTIONS 2 TO 7, CHAPTER 8, OREGON LAWS 2010. BEFORE SIGNING OR ACCEPTING THIS INSTRUMENT, THE PERSON ACQUIRING FEE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY SHOULD CHECK WITH THE APPROPRIATE CITY OR COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO VERIFY THAT THE UNIT OF LAND BEING TRANSFERRED IS A LAWFULLY ESTABLISHED LOT OR PARCEL, AS DEFINED IN ORS 92.010 OR 215.010, TO VERIFY THE APPROVED USES OF THE LOT OR PARCEL, TO VERIFY THE EXISTENCE OF FIRE PROTECTION FOR STRUCTURES AND TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS, IF ANY, UNDER ORS 195.300, 195.301 AND 195.305 TO 195.336 AND SECTIONS 5 TO 11, CHAPTER 424, OREGON LAWS 2007, SECTIONS 2 TO 9 AND 17, CHAPTER 855, OREGON LAWS 2009, AND SECTIONS 2 TO 7, CHAPTER 8, OREGON LAWS 2010.]

   

  [Signature page to follow and remainder of page intentionally left blank]

   

  

  Executed to be effective as of the Effective Date.

  						SELLER:

  						 

  NWSS – Powell Storage LLC,

  an Oregon limited liability company

   

  		By: 	/s/ J. Timothy Warren		

  											Name: 	J. Timothy Warren		

  											Title: 	Member			

   

  											Date: December 28, 2021

   

   

  PURCHASER:

  						 

  SST II Acquisitions, LLC,

  a Delaware limited liability company

   

  											By: 	/s/ H. Michael Schwartz		

  											Name: 	H. Michael Schwartz		

  											Title: 	Chief Executive Officer		

   

  											Date: December 28, 2021

   

   

  	 

  The undersigned Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges receipt of (i) a fully executed copy of this Agreement on the  _____ day of _______________, 2021, and (ii) the $150,000.00 earnest money deposit on the _____ day of _______________, 2021, and agrees to hold and dispose of the Earnest Money in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.  Seller and Purchaser hereby designate the Escrow Agent as the “Real Estate Reporting Person” with respect to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, for purposes of compliance with Section 6045(e) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, and the Escrow Agent, by its execution below, hereby accepts such designation. 

   

  						ESCROW AGENT:

   

  						Republic Title of Texas, Inc.,

  a Texas corporation

   

  By: 	/s/ Jeff Porter			

  											Name: Jeff Porter

  											Title: Vice PresidentExhibit
4.17

 

RULES
OF THE 4D PHARMA

PLC LONG-TERM INCENTIVE

PLAN

 

Adopted
by the board of directors on

26 October 2021

 

    	 

     

    

 

CONTENTS

 

	1.	DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION	1
	 	 	 
	2.	GRANT OF AWARDS	4
	 	 	 
	3.	VESTING, RELEASE AND EXERCISE	6
	 	 	 
	4.	SETTLEMENT	8
	 	 	 
	5.	LEAVERS	9
	 	 	 
	6.	CORPORATE EVENTS	10
	 	 	 
	7.	INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS	12
	 	 	 
	8.	REDUCTION AND RECOVERY	13
	 	 	 
	9.	AMENDMENTS	14
	 	 	 
	10.	MISCELLANEOUS	14
	 	 	 
	SCHEDULE 1: AWARDS SUBJECT TO A HOLDING PERIOD	17
	 	 	 
	SCHEDULE 2: US TAXPAYERS	18

 

    	 

     

    

 

	1.	DEFINITIONS
  AND INTERPRETATION

 

	1.1	Definitions

 

Unless
otherwise stated, the words and expressions below have the following meanings:-

 

“Admission”
means the day on which Shares were first admitted to trading on AIM; “ADS” means an American depository share
in the Company;

 

“Award”
means a Conditional Award, a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option; “Board” means the board of directors of
the Company;

 

“Committee”
means the remuneration committee of the Board or any person or persons duly authorised and appointed by them;

 

“Companies
Act” means the UK Companies Act 2006; “Company” means 4D Pharma plc;

 

“Conditional
Award” means a right to receive Shares at nil cost, subject to the rules of the Plan;

 

“Control”
has the meaning given by section 995 of the UK Income Tax Act 2007;

 

“Dealing
Day” means any day on which the stock exchange on which the Shares are listed is open for business;

 

“Dealing
Restrictions” means restrictions imposed by the Company’s share dealing code, the Listing Rules published by the United
Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, the EU Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 or any other relevant laws or regulations that impose restrictions
on share dealing;

 

“Dividend
Equivalent” means the right for a Participant to receive any additional Shares or cash in accordance with rule 3.4;

 

“Eligible
Employee” means an employee (including an executive director) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

“Early
Vesting Trigger” means the reason under the rules of the Plan for which an Award Vests before its Normal Vesting Date;

 

“Exercise
Period” means the period beginning on the Release Date and ending on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (or such earlier
date as the Committee may determine on or before the Grant Date);

 

“Good
Leaver” means a Participant who Leaves in accordance with rule 5.2(a);

 

“Grant
Date” means the date on which an Award is granted;

 

“Grant
Period” means the period of 42 days beginning on:

 

		(a)	the
                                            first Dealing Day after the day on which the Company makes an announcement of its results
                                            for any period; or

 

		(b)	any
                                            day on which the Committee resolves that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the
                                            grant of Awards,

 

    	1

     

    

 

unless
Dealing Restrictions prevent the Company from granting Awards during any such period, in which case Grant Period means the period of
42 days beginning on the day after such Dealing Restrictions lift;

 

“Group
Company” means the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any Holding Company of the Company, any Subsidiary of a Holding
Company of the Company or any other company that is associated with the Company and so designated by the Committee, and “Group”
will be construed accordingly;

 

“Holding
Company” has the meaning given by section 1159 of the Companies Act;

 

“Internal
Reorganisation” means a change of Control of the Company, where immediately after such change of Control, all or substantially
all of the share capital of the acquiring company is owned directly or indirectly by the persons who were shareholders in the Company
immediately before the change of Control;

 

“Leaving”
has the meaning given in rule 5.6, and “Leaves” and “Left” will be construed accordingly;

 

“Market
Value” means the middle market quotation of a Share (as derived from AIM) on the Dealing Day immediately preceding the relevant
date, unless the Committee determines that such expression means:

 

		(a)	the
                                            average of the middle market quotations of a Share (as derived from AIM) for a number of
                                            Dealing Days (not exceeding five) immediately preceding the relevant date; or

 

		(b)	such
                                            other value (calculated on a reasonable basis) as the Committee may determine;

 

“Market
Value Exercise Price” means an amount equal to the Market Value on 1 June in the calendar year in which a Market Value Option
is granted unless the Committee determines that the Market Value on the Grant Date will apply instead;

 

“Market
Value Option” means a right to acquire Shares at a price per Share which is equal to the Market Value Exercise Price following
exercise, subject to the rules of the Plan;

 

“Nil-cost
Option” means a right to acquire Shares at nil cost (or, if the Committee determines before the Grant Date, for a Nominal Exercise
Price) following exercise, subject to the rules of the Plan;

 

“Nominal
Exercise Price” means an amount equal to the nominal cost of a Share payable per Share on the exercise of a Nil-cost Option;

 

“Normal
Vesting Date” means such date or dates as the Committee may determine on or before the Grant Date;

 

“Participant”
means any person who holds an Award;

 

    	2

     

    

 

“Performance
Condition” means a condition to the Vesting of an Award which relates to performance;

 

“Performance
Period” means the period over which a Performance Condition will be measured, which will be determined by the Committee on
or before the Grant Date);

 

“Plan”
means the 4D Pharma plc Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time;

 

“Recovery
Period” means, in relation to an Award, the period beginning on the start of the Vesting Period and, subject to rule 8.6, ending
on the later of the Release Date and such date as the Committee may determine on or before the Grant Date;

 

“Release”
means:

 

		(a)	in
                                            relation to a Conditional Award, that the Participant becomes entitled to receive the Shares
                                            under the Award to the extent it has Vested; and

 

		(b)	in
                                            relation to a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option, that the Award becomes capable of
                                            exercise to the extent it has Vested,

 

in
either case, subject to the rules of the Plan, and “Released” and “Unreleased” will be construed
accordingly;

 

“Release
Date” means the date on which an Award is Released; “Share” means an ordinary share in the Company;

 

“Shareholding
Policy” means the Company’s shareholding policy in force from time to time, as notified to any Participant to which it
applies;

 

“Subsidiary”
has the meaning given by section 1159 of the Companies Act;

 

“Tax
Liability” means any tax or social security contributions liability in connection with an Award for which the Participant is
liable (or which may be recovered from the Participant) and for which any Group Company or former Group Company is obliged to account
to any relevant authority;

 

“Termination
Date” means the tenth anniversary of the date when the Board adopted the Plan or at any earlier time that the Committee may
determine;

 

“Trust”
means any trust established by the Company or any Group Company for the benefit of employees of the Group;

 

“Trustee”
means the trustee or trustees for the time being of the Trust;

 

“Vest” means:

 

		(a)	in
                                            relation to a Conditional Award, that the number of Shares that the Participant will become
                                            entitled to receive on its Release is determined; and

 

		(b)	in
                                            relation to a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option, that the number of Shares over which
                                            the Award will become capable of exercise on its Release is determined,

 

    	3

     

    

 

in
either case, subject to the rules of the Plan, and “Vesting”, “Vested” and “Unvested”
will be construed accordingly;

 

“Vesting
Date” means the date on which an Award Vests; and

 

“Vesting Period” means:

 

		(a)	in
                                            relation to an Award that is subject to a Performance Condition, the Performance Period;
                                            and

 

		(b)	in
                                            relation to an Award that is not subject to a Performance Condition, the period beginning
                                            on the Grant Date (or such earlier date as the Committee may determine) and ending on the
                                            Normal Vesting Date.

 

	1.2	Interpretation

 

	 	(a)	References to:

 

		(i)	any
                                            body include any successor body;

 

		(ii)	any
                                            statutory provisions or related rules are to those provisions or rules as amended or re-enacted
                                            from time to time; and

 

		(iii)	the
                                            singular include the plural, and vice versa.

 

		(b)	If
                                            an Award is granted over ADSs, references in the Plan to “Shares” shall be construed
                                            as references to “ADSs” as the context requires.

 

	 	(c)	Headings do not form part of the Plan.

 

	2.	GRANT OF AWARDS

 

	2.1	Grant

 

		(a)	The
                                            Committee may grant an Award to an Eligible Employee during a Grant Period at any time before
                                            the Termination Date and in such form and manner as it determines.

 

		(b)	As
                                            soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date, a Participant will be notified of the
                                            terms of their Award, including:

 

		(i)	its
                                            form and the number of Shares to which it relates;

 

		(ii)	that
                                            an Award has been granted over ADSs, if that is the case;

 

		(iii)	its
                                            Normal Vesting Date;

 

		(iv)	any
                                            applicable Performance Condition and Performance Period;

 

		(v)	that
                                            Dividend Equivalents will apply, if that is the case;

 

		(vi)	in
                                            the case of a Nil-cost Option, the Exercise Period and, if relevant, the Nominal Exercise
                                            Price;

 

    	4

     

    

 

		(vii)	in
                                            the case of a Market Value Option, the Exercise Period and the Market Value Exercise Price;

 

		(viii)	whether
                                            Shares acquired pursuant to the Award will be subject to any Shareholding Policy; and

 

		(ix)	any
                                            other terms.

 

		(c)	If
                                            an Award is divided into a different tranches that are subject to different terms, each tranche
                                            will be treated as a separate Award for the purposes of the Plan.

 

		(d)	The
                                            Committee may lapse an Award if it has not been accepted by the Participant in such form
                                            as the Committee reasonably requires before such date as the Committee prescribes.

 

	2.2	Plan limits

 

		(a)	This
                                            rule 2.2 shall cease to apply if the Shares cease to be admitted to trading on AIM.

 

		(b)	The
                                            Committee may not grant an Award on any day if the number of Shares that could be allocated
                                            to that Award, when aggregated with the number of Shares that have already been allocated
                                            or could be allocated under awards granted in the previous ten years but since Admission
                                            under any scheme adopted by any Group Company, would exceed 10% of the Company’s issued
                                            ordinary share capital.

 

		(c)	For
                                            the purposes of rule 2.2(b):

 

		(i)	Shares
                                            are “allocated” if they have been, or the Committee intends that they will be,
                                            newly issued or transferred from treasury (directly or indirectly) to satisfy an Award or
                                            any other right to Shares, provided that Shares will cease to be allocated to the extent
                                            that:

 

		(A)	the
                                            Awards or other rights to which they relate lapse, or are satisfied or are intended to be
                                            satisfied with existing Shares and/or cash; and/or

 

		(B)	institutional
                                            investor guidelines no longer require Shares transferred from treasury to be included in
                                            the limits; and

 

		(ii)	if
                                            Shares are issued by the Company to any Trustee for the purpose of enabling the Trustee to
                                            transfer such Shares to beneficiaries of the Trust in satisfaction of Awards or other rights
                                            to Shares and such Shares have been taken into account for the purposes of Rule 2.2(b) on
                                            the grant of such Awards, such Shares shall not be taken into account again upon their issue
                                            to the Trustee.

 

	2.3	Shareholding policy

 

A
Conditional Share Award will not be Released to and a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option may not be exercised by a Participant
who is subject to any Shareholding Policy unless the Committee is satisfied that there are sufficient measures in place in order to enforce
the Shareholding Policy, which may include:

 

		(a)	the
                                            Participant having entered into an agreement with such person and in such form as the Committee
                                            may determine, pursuant to which such person will hold any Shares to which the Participant
                                            becomes entitled under the Plan as nominee for the Participant;

 

    	5

     

    

 

		(b)	the
                                            share certificates relating to the Shares to which the Participant becomes entitled under
                                            the Plan being held on behalf of the Participant by such person as the Committee may nominate;
                                            and/or

 

		(c)	the
                                            Participant taking such other action as the Committee may reasonably require.

 

	3.	VESTING, RELEASE AND EXERCISE

 

	3.1	Timing of Vesting

 

Unless
otherwise prescribed in the rules of the Plan, an Award will Vest, subject to rule 3.2, on the later of:

 

		(a)	its
                                            Normal Vesting Date; and

 

		(b)	if
                                            relevant, the date on which the Committee determines the extent to which any Performance
                                            Condition has been satisfied,

 

and,
as soon as reasonably practicable after the Vesting Date, the Committee shall notify the Participant of the extent to which their Award
has Vested.

 

	3.2	Extent of Vesting

 

		(a)	The
                                            Committee will determine the extent to which any Performance Condition applicable to an Award
                                            has been satisfied as soon as reasonably practicable following the end of the Performance
                                            Period, and, subject to any reduction under rule 3.2(c), the Award will Vest in accordance
                                            with such determination.

 

		(b)	If
                                            an Award Vests under the rules of the Plan before its Normal Vesting Date, the Committee
                                            will, subject to rule 3.2(c), determine the number of Shares in respect of which such Award
                                            Vests:

 

		(i)	by
                                            determining the extent to which any applicable Performance Condition has been satisfied on
                                            the date of the Early Vesting Trigger on such basis as the Committee considers reasonable;
                                            and

 

		(ii)	by
                                            reducing the Vesting level to reflect the proportion of the Vesting Period that is unexpired
                                            on the date of the Early Vesting Trigger, unless:

 

		(A)	the
                                            Committee considers it appropriate to apply a lesser reduction or none at all; or

 

		(B)	the
                                            Award is held by a Good Leaver and a reduction has been applied under rule 5.2(b)(i).

 

		(c)	In
                                            determining the extent to which a Performance Condition has been satisfied (whether under
                                            rule 3.2(a) or rule 3.2(b)) or at any other time before an Award Vests, the Committee may
                                            reduce (including to nil) the extent to which an Award would otherwise Vest (based on the
                                            formulaic application of a Performance Condition or otherwise) to reflect such circumstances
                                            as the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine, including (without limitation):

 

		(i)	the
                                            underlying performance (financial or otherwise) of the Participant or the Group since the
                                            beginning of the Vesting Period; and/or

 

    	6

     

    

 

	 	(ii)	circumstances that were unexpected or unforeseen at the Grant
Date.

 

		(d)	An
                                            Award shall lapse to the extent that:

 

		(i)	it
                                            does not Vest under this rule 3.2; or

 

		(ii)	any
                                            other condition to which Vesting is subject has not been satisfied on the date it is due
                                            to Vest, unless such condition is waived by the Committee.

 

	3.3	Release

 

		(a)	Unless
                                            otherwise prescribed in the rules of the Plan, an Award will be Released on its Vesting Date.

 

		(b)	An
                                            Award shall lapse to the extent that any condition to Release has not been satisfied on the
                                            date it is due to be Released, unless such condition is waived by the Committee.

 

		(c)	The
                                            Committee shall notify a Participant of the Release of their Award.

 

	3.4	Dividend Equivalents

 

If
the Committee determines that Dividend Equivalents will apply to an Award, the Participant shall be entitled on settlement of the Award
(in accordance with rule 4.1) to an amount in cash or additional Shares equal in value to any dividends (excluding special dividends)
that would have been paid on the Shares in relation to which a Conditional Award has been Released or a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value
Option has been exercised (as applicable) between its Grant Date (or such earlier date as the Committee may determine, being no earlier
than the beginning of the Vesting Period) and Release Date, determined on such reasonable basis as the Committee in its discretion decides.
This amount will not presume the reinvestment of dividends unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

	3.5	Restrictions on Release

 

If
on the date on which an Award would otherwise be Released:

 

		(a)	a
                                            Dealing Restriction applies that would prevent such Release, the Award will instead be Released
                                            on the date on which such Dealing Restriction lifts;

 

		(b)	the
                                            action or conduct of any Participant, Group Company or relevant business unit is under investigation
                                            in connection with the operation of rule 8 (or the equivalent provisions of another employee
                                            incentive plan operated by a Group Company) and such investigation has not been concluded,
                                            the Committee may determine that the Award will instead (subject to any action taken under
                                            rule 8) be Released on such date that it determines the investigation has been concluded;
                                            or

 

		(c)	an
                                            event has occurred which causes the Committee reasonably to consider that it would be appropriate
                                            to do so, the Committee may alter the date on which an Award is Released, which may include
                                            a delay in Release and/or an Award being Released in instalments.

 

    	7

     

    

 

	3.6	Exercise of Nil-cost Options and Market Value Options

 

		(a)	Unless
                                            otherwise prescribed in the rules of the Plan, a Released Nil-cost Option or a Released Market
                                            Value Option may be exercised during the Exercise Period at any time that a Dealing Restriction
                                            would not prevent exercise.

 

		(b)	Exercise
                                            of a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option in whole or in part (and if in part, on more
                                            than one occasion) shall be effected by the Participant executing such process as the Committee
                                            may determine, and making payment (in such form as is acceptable to the Committee, which
                                            may include an undertaking to pay) of the Nominal Exercise Price or the Market Value Exercise
                                            Price.

 

		(c)	A
                                            Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option will lapse at the end of the Exercise Period to
                                            the extent that it has not been exercised or otherwise lapsed under the rules of the Plan.

 

	4.	SETTLEMENT

 

	4.1	Delivery of Shares or cash

 

		(a)	The
                                            number of Shares in respect of which an Award has been Released or, in the case of a Nil-cost
                                            Option or a Market Value Option been validly exercised in accordance with rule 3.6(b), will
                                            be delivered to the Participant within 30 days of the Release Date of the Conditional Award
                                            or the exercise of the Nil-cost Option or the Market Value Option (as applicable). The Company
                                            may issue new Shares or procure the transfer of Shares to satisfy its obligations to deliver
                                            Shares (subject to applicable laws).

 

		(b)	The
                                            Committee may at any time determine that, in substitution for some or all of the Shares that
                                            would otherwise have been delivered to a Participant pursuant to rule 4.1(a), the Participant
                                            will instead be paid a cash sum equal to the Market Value of such Shares on the Release Date
                                            of the Conditional Award or the exercise of the Nil-cost Option or the Market Value Option,
                                            and any such cash sum will be paid to the Participant within 30 days of the Release Date
                                            of the Conditional Award or the exercise of the Nil-cost Option or the Market Value Option
                                            net of any Tax Liability. In the case of a Market Value Option, the aggregate Market Value
                                            Exercise Price will be deducted from the Market Value of the Shares for the purposes of calculating
                                            the cash sum, as will any aggregate Nominal Exercise Price applicable to a Nil-cost Option.

 

		(c)	Any
                                            costs (including any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax and any dealing costs) associated
                                            with:

 

		(i)	the
                                            delivery of Shares to satisfy an Award will be borne by the Company; and

 

		(ii)	the
                                            sale of Shares (including in connection with rule 4.3) will be borne by the Participant.

 

	4.2	Restrictions on settlement

 

If
on the date on which an Award would otherwise be settled pursuant to rule 4.1, a Dealing Restriction would prevent such settlement, the
Award will instead be settled when such Dealing Restriction lifts.

 

    	8

     

    

 

	4.3	Taxation

 

		(a)	A
                                            Participant is responsible for and shall indemnify each relevant Group Company against any
                                            Tax Liability relating to their Award. Any Group Company may withhold or recover an amount
                                            equal to its reasonable estimate of such Tax Liability using such means or arrangements as
                                            it considers appropriate to ensure recovery of the Tax Liability and its payment to a relevant
                                            tax authority within any applicable time limits. These may include the sale of some or all
                                            the Shares to which the Award relates or the cash settlement under rule 4.1(b) of such part
                                            of the Award as is as near as reasonably practicably equal to its reasonable estimate of
                                            the Tax Liability relating to their Award.

 

		(b)	A
                                            Participant shall enter into such tax elections (including under section 431 of the Income
                                            Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003) as the Committee may reasonably require in respect
                                            of any Shares to be acquired under the Plan.

 

	5.	LEAVERS

 

	5.1	Leaving before the Normal Vesting Date

 

If
a Participant Leaves before the Normal Vesting Date of their Award other than as a Good Leaver or because they die, their Award will
lapse when they Leave.

 

	5.2	Good Leavers before the Normal Vesting Date

 

	 	(a)	If a Participant Leaves before the Normal Vesting Date of their
Award because of:

 

		(i)	ill-health,
                                            injury or disability of such severity as to result in the Participant’s Leaving (as
                                            determined by the Committee);

 

		(ii)	any
                                            reason (other than gross misconduct) after the Participant has accrued 15 years of continuous
                                            service with the Group;

 

		(iii)	the
                                            Participant’s employing company ceasing to be a Group Company or the transfer of an
                                            undertaking or part of an undertaking to a person who is not a Group Company; or

 

		(iv)	any
                                            other reason (other than gross misconduct) at the Committee’s discretion, they will
                                            be treated as a Good Leaver.

 

		(b)	If
                                            a Participant is a Good Leaver, their Award will subsist subject to its terms and the rules
                                            of the Plan (including its Normal Vesting Date and any Performance Condition), provided that:

 

		(i)	the
                                            number of Shares in respect of which such Award is capable of Vesting will be reduced to
                                            reflect the portion of the Vesting Period that was unexpired when the Participant Leaves,
                                            unless the Committee considers it appropriate to apply a lesser reduction or none at all;
                                            or

 

		(ii)	the
                                            Committee may decide that such Award will Vest and be Released when they Leave or on such
                                            other date before the Normal Vesting Date as the Committee may determine, in which case rule
                                            3.2(b) shall apply and the Participant Leaving will be the Early Vesting Trigger.

 

    	9

     

    

 

	5.3	Leaving on or after the Normal Vesting Date

 

If
a Participant Leaves on or after the Normal Vesting Date of their Award, their Award will subsist subject to its terms and the rules
of the Plan, unless the Participant Leaves because of gross misconduct, in which case their Award will lapse when they Leave.

 

	5.4	Death

 

If
a Participant Leaves because they die, all Awards will Vest and be Released when they Leave, in which case rule 3.2(b) shall apply and
the Participant’s death will be the Early Vesting Trigger.

 

	5.5	Period of exercise of a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value
Option
 

 

If a Participant Leaves, a Nil-cost Option or a Market Value Option:

 

		(a)	may,
                                            unless otherwise prescribed in the rules of the Plan, (to the extent it has Vested and been
                                            Released) be exercised until the later of 30 days after its Release Date and 30 days after
                                            they Leave, or where the Participant Leaves because they die, 12 months from the date of
                                            their death, unless in any case the Committee decides to allow a longer exercise period;
                                            and

 

		(b)	will
                                            lapse to the extent it is not exercised in accordance with rule 5.5(a),

 

provided
that the Committee may determine that some or all of an unexercised Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option may lapse immediately if it,
in its absolute discretion, determines that the Participant has breached any term of their employment contract (or any settlement agreement
relating to their employment contract) with a Group Company that applies after they have Left.

 

	5.6	Meaning of Leaving

 

For
the purposes of the Plan, a Participant will be treated as Leaving when they no longer hold an office or employment (or a right to return
to work) with any Group Company.

 

	6.	CORPORATE EVENTS

 

	6.1	Takeovers

 

	 	(a)	Rule 6.1(b) shall apply if any of the following occurs (each,
a “Takeover Event”):

 

		(i)	any
                                            person (either alone or together with any person acting in concert with them):

 

		(A)	obtains
                                            Control of the Company as a result of making a general offer to acquire Shares; or

 

		(B)	already
                                            having Control of the Company, makes an offer to acquire all of the Shares other than those
                                            which are already owned by them, and such offer is or becomes wholly unconditional; or

 

		(ii)	a
                                            compromise or arrangement in accordance with section 899 of the Companies Act for the purposes
                                            of a change of Control of the Company is sanctioned by the court.

 

    	10

     

    

 

	 	(b)	Unless rule 6.2 applies:

 

		(i)	if
                                            the Committee so determines in advance of the Takeover Event, all Nil-cost Options and Market
                                            Value Options may be exercised conditionally, so as to take effect upon the Takeover Event
                                            (to the extent they are Vested and Released at that time);

 

		(ii)	all
                                            Awards will Vest and be Released (and any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option exercised
                                            conditionally under rule 6.1(b)(i) will be exercised) upon the Takeover Event, in which case
                                            rule 3.2(b) shall apply and the Takeover Event will be the Early Vesting Trigger; and

 

		(iii)	to
                                            the extent any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option has not been exercised within 30 days
                                            of the Takeover Event (or such longer or shorter period as the Committee may determine),
                                            it shall lapse,

 

and,
for the purposes of this rule 6.1, rule 3.2(b) and rule 3.3, “Committee” shall mean those people who were members of the
Committee immediately before the Takeover Event.

 

	6.2	Exchange of Awards

 

	 	(a)	If:

 

		(i)	there
                                            is an Internal Reorganisation unless the Committee determines otherwise; or

 

		(ii)	in
                                            the case of a Takeover Event, the Committee decides before such Takeover Event that an Award
                                            will be exchanged or if an offer to exchange an Award is made to and accepted by a Participant,

 

an
Award will be exchanged for the grant of a new award (“New Award”) that the Committee considers to be equivalent to
the Award, except that it relates to shares in a different company (whether the acquiring company or otherwise) and the rules of the
Plan and the terms of the Award (including any Performance Condition) will be interpreted accordingly.

 

		(b)	For
                                            the purposes of this rule 6.2, “Committee” shall mean those people who were members
                                            of the Committee immediately before the Takeover Event.

 

	6.3	Winding up

 

If
the Company gives notice of a general meeting at which a resolution is proposed for the voluntary winding up of the Company (“Resolution”):

 

		(a)	all
                                            Nil-cost Options and Market Value Options may be exercised conditionally, so as to take effect
                                            from immediately prior to the passing of the Resolution (to the extent they are Vested and
                                            Released at that time);

 

		(b)	all
                                            Awards will Vest and be Released (and any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option exercised
                                            conditionally under rule 6.3(a) will be exercised) immediately prior to the passing of the
                                            Resolution, in which case rule 3.2(b) shall apply and the time immediately prior to the passing
                                            of the Resolution will be the Early Vesting Trigger; and

 

		(c)	to
                                            the extent any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option has not been exercised on the passing
                                            of the Resolution, it shall lapse.

 

    	11

     

    

 

	6.4	Variation of Share capital and other corporate events

 

If
there is a variation of the Company’s share capital or the Company is or may be affected by a merger, delisting, special dividend
or other event which the Committee considers will affect the current or future value of Shares (“Relevant Event”),
the Committee may:

 

		(a)	adjust
                                            the number of Shares to which an Award relates and, if applicable, the Market Value Exercise
                                            Price; or

 

		(b)	if
                                            it determines that because of the significance of the effect of the variation or event on
                                            the value of the Shares such adjustment would be inappropriate, determine that:

 

		(i)	some
                                            or all Nil-cost Options or Market Value Options may be exercised conditionally, so as to
                                            take effect at such time on or before the Relevant Event as the Committee determines (to
                                            the extent they are Vested and Released at that time);

 

		(ii)	some
                                            or all Awards will Vest and be Released (and any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option exercised
                                            conditionally under rule 6.4(b)(i) will be exercised) at such time on or before the Relevant
                                            Event as the Committee determines, in which case rule 3.2(b) shall apply and the Relevant
                                            Event will be the Early Vesting Trigger; and/or

 

		(iii)	to
                                            the extent any Nil-cost Option or Market Value Option has not been exercised by such time
                                            as the Committee determines, it shall lapse,

 

and
the Committee may make such adjustments to the limits set out in rule 2.2 as it considers appropriate.

 

	7.	INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

 

If
as a result of a Participant moving jurisdiction at the Company’s request:

 

		(a)	the
                                            Participant would be unable to receive or hold Shares;

 

		(b)	the
                                            Participant and/or any Group Company would suffer a materially increased tax or social security
                                            liability in relation to their Award; or

 

		(c)	the
                                            Committee otherwise determines it to be appropriate,

 

the
Committee may accelerate the Vesting and/or Release of some or all of an Award, in which case rule 3.2(b) shall apply and the time of
the Participant’s move will be the Early Vesting Trigger, provided that the Committee may make the Vesting and/or Release of the
Award subject to such conditions as it determines appropriate, which may include restrictions on the disposal of Shares acquired before
the Normal Vesting Date of the Award and/or the forfeiture of Shares if the Participant Leaves before the Normal Vesting Date of the
Award.

 

    	12

     

    

 

	8.	REDUCTION AND RECOVERY

 

		8.1	The
                                            Committee may apply its powers in rule 8.2 in relation to an Award if it determines, in its
                                            absolute discretion, that any of the circumstances in (a) to (h) below have occurred and
                                            its powers in rule 8.3 only if the circumstances in (e) below have occurred:

 

		(a)	a
                                            material misstatement of any Group Company’s financial results for any period that
                                            falls within or overlaps with the Recovery Period;

 

		(b)	an
                                            error in the information or assumptions on which the Award was granted, or in assessing a
                                            Performance Condition that affects the extent to which the Award Vests;

 

		(c)	a
                                            material failure of risk management in, or any serious reputational damage to, any Group
                                            Company or business unit during the Recovery Period;

 

		(d)	corporate
                                            failure of any Group Company or a relevant business unit during the Recovery Period;

 

		(e)	serious
                                            misconduct or material error on the part of the Participant during the Recovery Period;

 

		(f)	in
                                            respect of a Participant who is subject to the Shareholding Policy in relation to any Award
                                            or Shares, the Participant using any personal hedging strategy, contract of insurance, option,
                                            arbitrage agreement or other arrangement to undermine the effects of the Shareholding Policy
                                            at any time during the Recovery Period;

 

		(g)	a
                                            breach by the Participant at any time during the Recovery Period of any term of their employment
                                            contract (or any settlement agreement relating to their employment contract) with a Group
                                            Company that applies after they have Left; or

 

		(h)	any
                                            other circumstances that are similar in their nature or effect to those above,

 

and
for the purposes of this rule, the terms “Participant”, “Group Company” and “business unit” include
any former Participant, Group Company or business unit.

 

		8.2	If
                                            Shares or cash are yet to be delivered to a Participant to satisfy their Award, the Committee
                                            may, at any time before the end of the Recovery Period, in its absolute discretion, reduce
                                            (including to nil) the number of Shares to which the Award relates and/or impose additional
                                            conditions on the Award.

 

		8.3	If
                                            Shares or cash have been delivered to a Participant to satisfy their Award, the Committee
                                            may, in its absolute discretion, at any time before the end of the Recovery Period, require
                                            the Participant to make a cash payment to the Company in respect of some or all of the Shares
                                            and/or cash delivered to them (before or after any applicable Tax Liability) or to transfer
                                            Shares of an equivalent value to the Company or another person free of charge.

 

		8.4	In
                                            order to effect the recovery of Shares and/or cash from a Participant under rule 8.3 the
                                            Committee may, in its absolute discretion:

 

		(a)	reduce
                                            (including to nil) the number of Shares to which an Award under the Plan relates, if Shares
                                            or cash have not yet been delivered to the Participant to satisfy such Award; and/or

 

    	13

     

    

 

		(b)	reduce
                                            any remuneration that a Participant would be entitled to receive from a Group Company under
                                            any bonus or incentive plan.

 

		8.5	The
                                            Committee may apply rule 8.4(a) to give effect to any provisions similar to those in this
                                            rule 8 that are included in any other incentive plan operated by a Group Company.

 

		8.6	If,
                                            at the time the Recovery Period is due to end, the conduct of any Participant, Group Company
                                            or business unit is being investigated in connection with this rule 8 (or an equivalent provision
                                            in another incentive plan operated by a Group Company) and such investigation has not been
                                            concluded, the Committee may determine that the Recovery Period will instead continue until
                                            such investigation concludes and any reduction or recovery in accordance with this rule 8
                                            (or equivalent provision) has been applied.

 

	9.	AMENDMENTS

 

	9.1	General

 

		(a)	The
                                            Committee may amend the rules of the Plan or the terms of any Award at its discretion subject
                                            to rules 9.1(b) and 9.1(c).

 

		(b)	No
                                            amendment to the material disadvantage of existing rights of Participants (except in respect
                                            of a Performance Condition) may be made unless every Participant who may be affected has
                                            been invited to indicate whether they approve the amendment and it is approved by a majority
                                            of those who respond.

 

		(c)	Notwithstanding
                                            rule 9.1(b), the Committee may, at any time alter the terms of a Conditional Award such that
                                            it becomes a Nil-cost Option or vice versa.

 

(i) .

 

		(d)	No
                                            amendment may be made under this rule 9 if it would prevent the Plan from being an employees’
                                            share scheme within the meaning of section 1166 of the Companies Act.

 

	9.2	Performance Conditions

 

The
Committee may amend or substitute an existing Performance Condition if an event occurs which it considers would make it appropriate to
do so, provided that the amended or new condition would not, taking into account all the circumstances, be materially easier to satisfy
than the original condition would have been but for the event.

 

10. MISCELLANEOUS 

 

10.1 No disposal of Award

 

An
Award must not be sold, transferred, assigned, charged or otherwise disposed of in any way (except to a Participant’s personal
representatives if the Participant dies) and will lapse immediately on any such purported action.

 

10.2 Bankruptcy

 

An
Award will lapse immediately if the Participant is declared bankrupt (or, where the Participant is located outside the UK, if any equivalent
event occurs).

 

    	14

     

    

 

10.3 Not pensionable

 

No
benefits received under the Plan will be pensionable.

 

10.4 Ranking of Shares

 

Shares
issued or transferred from treasury under the Plan will rank equally in all respects with the Shares then in issue, except that they
will not rank for any voting, dividend or other rights attaching to Shares by reference to a record date preceding the date of issue
or transfer from treasury.

 

10.5 Relationship to employment

 

		(a)	Rules
                                            10.5(b) to 10.5(c) apply during a Participant’s employment with any Group Company and
                                            after the termination of such employment, whether or not the termination is lawful.

 

		(b)	A
                                            Participant’s employment with any Group Company is separate from their participation
                                            in the Plan. A Participant’s participation in the Plan does not create any right to
                                            continued employment or to be granted further Awards, either at all or on any particular
                                            terms, including the number of Shares to which an Award relates.

 

		(c)	By
                                            participating in the Plan, a Participant waives any claim for compensation for any loss under
                                            or in connection with the Plan, whether such loss is claimed by way of damages for breach
                                            of any contract, compensation for loss of office or otherwise.

 

		(d)	The
                                            exclusion included in rule 10.5(c) applies (without limitation) to any loss arising from:

 

		(i)	the
                                            lapse of any Award or the loss or reduction of any rights or expectations in any circumstances
                                            or for any reason, including (without limitation) the termination, whether lawful or otherwise,
                                            of the Participant’s employment, the application of rule 6 or the application of rule
                                            8;

 

		(ii)	any
                                            exercise of or failure to exercise any discretion in relation to an Award and/or the Plan;
                                            and

 

		(iii)	the
                                            operation of the Plan, including its suspension or termination, or any Award.

 

10.6 Data protection

 

The
personal data of any Eligible Employee, Participant or former Participant will be processed in accordance with the Group’s data
protection policy as notified to Eligible Employees and, except for the purposes of the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679
(including as such legislation is retained under UK law), by participating in the Plan, each Participant consents to the processing of
their personal data for the purposes of the Plan.

 

10.7 Regulatory consent

 

If
the Committee determines that the grant of an Award was contrary to any relevant laws or regulations, it may, in its absolute discretion,
determine that the grant of such Awards was void and that they should be treated for all purposes as never having been granted.

 

    	15

     

    

 

10.8 Administration of the Plan

 

		(a)	The
                                            Committee has authority to administer the Plan, including the appointment of a third party
                                            administrator, and to interpret and apply its terms, provided that, where any act or decision
                                            would be beyond the scope of the authority delegated to the Committee by the Board, the Committee
                                            shall refer such act or decision to the Board and act or decide in accordance with the Board’s
                                            determination.

 

	 	(b)	The
decisions of the Committee will be final and bind all parties.

 

10.9 Construction

 

If
any provision of the Plan or any Award would be unenforceable because it contains certain wording and the terms are capable of being
construed without such wording the Committee may apply the provision on that basis.

 

10.10
Notices

 

		(a)	Any
                                            notice or other communication in connection with the Plan may be delivered personally or
                                            sent by electronic means or post.

 

		(b)	A
                                            notice or other communication will be deemed to have been received:

 

		(i)	where
                                            it is delivered personally, immediately (if delivered during working hours on a Dealing Day)
                                            or on the opening of the next Dealing Day (otherwise);

 

		(ii)	72
                                            hours after it was put into the post properly addressed and stamped; and

 

		(iii)	where
                                            it is given by electronic means, immediately (if delivered during working hours on a Dealing
                                            Day) or on the opening of the next Dealing Day (otherwise) in either case, unless the sender
                                            receives an electronic automatic reply to the contrary.

 

10.11
Termination of the Plan

 

The
Plan will terminate on the Termination Date. The existing rights of Participants will not be affected by such termination.

 

10.12
Rights of third parties

 

No
third party other than a Group Company will have any rights under the UK Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any
term of the Plan.

 

10.13
Governing law and jurisdiction

 

The
rules of the Plan and all Awards made under it will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and
any person referred to in the Plan submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

 

10.14
Overseas territories

 

The
Committee may establish further plans or sub-plans (as schedules to the Plan or otherwise) based on the Plan but modified to take account
of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories provided that any Awards or similar rights granted under any
such plans or sub-plans will count towards the limits on the total number of Shares in rule 2.2.

 

    	16

     

    

 

SCHEDULE
1: AWARDS SUBJECT TO A HOLDING PERIOD

 

This
schedule 1 shall apply to any Award granted under the Plan that the Committee has determined will be subject to a Holding Period (as
defined below). Awards that are subject to a Holding Period shall be subject to the rules of the Plan, except as amended by this schedule
1.

 

	1.	Definitions and interpretation

 

	1.1	Unless otherwise stated, the words and expressions below have
the following meanings:

 

“Holding
Period” means a period beginning on the Normal Vesting Date and ending on the Normal Release Date; and

 

“Normal
Release Date” means the second anniversary of the Normal Vesting Date (or such other period as the Committee may determine
on or before the Grant Date),

 

and,
in each case, the rules of the Plan will be construed accordingly.

 

	1.2	References in this schedule 1 to:

 

(a) a
“rule” relate to a rule of the Plan; and

 

(b) a
“paragraph” relate to a paragraph of this schedule 1.

 

	1.3	Where
                                            there is any conflict between the rules of the Plan and this schedule 1, the terms of this
                                            schedule 1 will prevail.

 

	2.	Grant

 

		2.1	An
                                            Award that is subject to a Holding Period may not be granted to any US Taxpayer (as defined
                                            in schedule 2).

 

	2.2	As soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date, a Participant
will be notified:

 

(a) that
their Award is subject to a Holding Period; and

 

(b) of
the Normal Release Date.

 

	3.	Release

 

Unless
otherwise prescribed in the rules of the Plan, an Award that is subject to a Holding Period will be Released on its Normal Release Date,
unless the Committee determines in its absolute discretion in relation to any Unreleased Award that it shall be Released early in whole
or in part.

 

	4.	Good Leavers before the Normal Vesting Date

 

If
a Participant is a Good Leaver, their Award will, subject to paragraph 3 and rule 5.2(b), continue to be subject its Holding Period and
Normal Release Date.

 

	5.	Leaving on or after the Normal Vesting Date

 

If
a Participant Leaves on or after the Normal Vesting Date of their Award, their Award will, subject to paragraph 3 and rule 5.4, continue
to be subject its Holding Period and Normal Release Date.

 

	6.	International transfers

 

If
rule 7 applies, the Committee may determine that the Holding Period shall cease to apply, provided that the Committee may make the Release
of the Award subject to such conditions as it determines appropriate, which may include restrictions on the disposal of Shares acquired
before the Normal Release Date of the Award.

 

    	17

     

    

 

SCHEDULE
2: US TAXPAYERS

 

This
schedule 2 shall apply to any Award granted to or held by a US Taxpayer (as defined below) (a “US Award”). US Awards
shall be subject to the rules of the Plan, except as amended by this schedule 2. It is intended that US Awards shall qualify as short-term
deferrals exempt from the requirements of Section 409A (as defined below), and the rules of the Plan will be interpreted and construed
accordingly.

 

	1.	Definitions and interpretation

 

		1.1	Unless
                                            otherwise stated, the words and expressions below have the following meanings: “Section
                                            409A” means Section 409A of the US Code;

 

“US
Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including any regulations or authoritative
guidance promulgated thereunder and successor provisions thereto;

 

“US
Conditional Award” means a US Award granted in the form of a Conditional Award ; and

 

“US
Taxpayer” means any Eligible Employee or Participant who is or will be subject to a tax or social security liability under
the US Code in connection with an Award,

 

and,
in each case, the rules of the Plan will be construed accordingly.

 

	1.2	References in this schedule 2 to:

 

(a) a
“rule” relate to a rule of the Plan; and

 

(b) a
“paragraph” relate to a paragraph of this schedule 2.

 

		1.3	Where
                                            there is any conflict between the rules of the Plan and this schedule 2, the terms of this
                                            schedule 2 will prevail.

 

	2.	Grant

 

A
US Award may only be granted in the form of a Conditional Award or a Market Value Option.

 

	3.	Vesting

 

		3.1	If
                                            a US Conditional Award will Vest on or after its Normal Vesting Date in accordance with rule
                                            3.1, the Committee shall in any event determine the extent to which any Performance Condition
                                            has been satisfied in accordance with rule 3.2(a) and whether any reduction should be made
                                            under rule 3.2(c) no later than 15 March in the calendar year following the Normal Vesting
                                            Date.

 

		3.2	If
                                            a US Conditional Award will Vest under the rules of the Plan before its Normal Vesting Date,
                                            the Committee shall in any event determine the extent to which any Performance Condition
                                            has been satisfied in accordance with rule 3.2(b)(i), the degree to which the Vesting level
                                            will be reduced in accordance with rule 3.2(b)(ii) and whether any reduction should be made
                                            under rule 3.2(c) no later than 15 March in the calendar year following the Early Vesting
                                            Trigger.

 

    	18

     

    

 

	4.	Release

 

Unless
rule 3.5(a) applies, a US Conditional Award may not in any event be Released later than 15 March in the calendar year following the Normal
Vesting Date.

 

	5.	Settlement

 

		5.1	Unless
                                            rule 4.2 applies, any Shares to be delivered to the Participant under rule 4.1(a) or cash
                                            to be paid to the Participant under rule 4.1(b) following the Release of a US Conditional
                                            Award may not in any event be delivered or paid later than 15 March in the calendar year
                                            following the Normal Vesting Date.

 

	6.	Good Leavers

 

	6.1	Rule 5.2(a)(ii) shall not apply to a US Conditional Award.

 

	6.2	Rule 5.2(b)(ii) shall be deleted and replaced with the following:

 

“If
a Participant is a Good Leaver, their US Conditional Award will Vest and be Released when they Leave or on such other date before the
Normal Vesting Date as the Committee may determine, provided that their US Conditional Award may not in any event Vest or be Released
later than 15 March in the calendar year following the date they Leave. Rule 3.2(b) shall apply to such US Award and the Participant
Leaving will be the Early Vesting Trigger.”

 

		6.3	If
                                            any delivery of Shares or payment of cash made under the Plan in connection with the termination
                                            of a Participant’s employment is determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “nonqualified
                                            deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, and the Participant is a
                                            specified employee within the meaning of section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the US Code, no such Shares
                                            may be delivered or cash paid before the day that is six months and one day after the date
                                            of termination or, if earlier, ten Dealing Days following the Participant’s death.

 

	7.	Adjustment of US Awards

 

		7.1	Any
                                            adjustment made under rule 6.4(a) will only be effective to the extent that it is consistent
                                            with the short-term deferral exemption to Section 409A.

 

	8.	Amendments

 

		8.1	Any
                                            amendment made under rule 9.1 will only be effective to the extent that it is consistent
                                            with the short-term deferral exemption to Section 409A.

 

	9.	Liability

 

		9.1	In
                                            no event whatsoever will any Group Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or
                                            penalties that may be imposed on any Participant under Section 409A or any damages for the
                                            terms of the Plan failing to comply with Section 409A.

 

    	19

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