Document:

EXHIBIT 10.8

 

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

This agreement is made as of the [   ] day of [   ], 2012 (the “Effective Date”) between MARSH IAS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (BERMUDA) LTD., a Bermuda company (“MARSH IAS”), and NEWSOURCE REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD., a Bermuda company (“NEWSOURCE”).

 

NEWSOURCE is duly licensed to carry on business as an insurance company under the laws of Bermuda.

 

1.                                      MARSH IAS’S SERVICES.  MARSH IAS will render the following services to NEWSOURCE, subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth herein:

 

(a)                                 Underwriting of (Re)insurance by NEWSOURCE.  Upon the prior written instructions of NEWSOURCE, MARSH IAS shall use its best efforts to cause NEWSOURCE to underwrite specific insurance risks within a given class of insurance business; provided, however, that MARSH IAS shall act within any restrictions set forth in writing to MARSH IAS by NEWSOURCE and/or The Bermuda Monetary Authority — Insurance Division in Bermuda (the “Bermuda Monetary Authority”).

 

(b)                                 Policyholder Service.  Subject to the risks being accepted by NEWSOURCE or the underwriters retained by NEWSOURCE, MARSH IAS shall issue and endorse policies, and, if so instructed in writing by NEWSOURCE, terminate or cancel policies and issue notices of cancellation. MARSH IAS shall bill, receive and render receipts for premiums due to NEWSOURCE in accordance with the terms and conditions of each policy of insurance issued and in accordance with the written instructions of NEWSOURCE. MARSH IAS shall have full authority hereunder to take whatever action, at NEWSOURCE’s cost and expense, it deems necessary or appropriate to attempt to collect premiums, including, if so instructed by NEWSOURCE, the cancellation of policies.  MARSH IAS shall have no liability for uncollected premiums.

 

(c)                                  Claims.  MARSH IAS shall, in accordance with written instructions from NEWSOURCE, accept or reject claims, settle claims and arrange for the adjustment of losses and defense of actions, as necessary or appropriate, arising out of contracts of insurance and reinsurance.

 

(d)                                 Ceding Reinsurance.  If NEWSOURCE desires to cede reinsurance, MARSH IAS shall refer NEWSOURCE to entities capable of making such a placement, which entities may be MARSH IAS affiliates.  Any brokerage normal to such transactions shall be retained by any insurance broker, including any affiliate of MARSH IAS, appointed by NEWSOURCE to place such reinsurance.

 

(e)                                  Assuming Reinsurance.  If NEWSOURCE desires to underwrite reinsurance, MARSH IAS shall refer NEWSOURCE to entities capable of arranging the assumption of reinsurance by NEWSOURCE, which entities may be MARSH IAS affiliates.  NEWSOURCE acknowledges that the Bermuda Monetary Authority may restrict or impose conditions on NEWSOURCE’s assumption of reinsurance.

 

(f)                                   Advice on Insurance Programs.  Upon the request of NEWSOURCE and to the

 

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extent authorized by applicable law, MARSH IAS shall assist NEWSOURCE in the analysis of insurance and reinsurance programs which NEWSOURCE is contemplating, or has issued insurance or reinsurance policies.  MARSH IAS is not licensed to practice law and its advice should not be construed as legal advice.

 

(g)                                 Principal Representative.  NEWSOURCE appoints MARSH IAS, and MARSH IAS agrees to act as, Principal Representative of NEWSOURCE for the purposes of the Insurance Act (Bermuda), 1978 and the amendments and Regulations made thereunder (the “Insurance Act”).

 

(h)                                 Other Services.  MARSH IAS shall perform such other services as may from time to time be agreed upon between MARSH IAS and NEWSOURCE.

 

(i)                                    Technical title insurance underwriting services. Pursuant to an agreement between ATLTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. a private limited liability company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg together with its subsidiaries and affiliates (“ALTISOURCE”) and NEWSOURCE (the “TSA”). Under the TSA, ALTISOURCE will provide MARSH IAS with a bundled service platform providing MARSH IAS with the technical title insurance underwriting services and specific resources to enable MARSH IAS to manage NEWSOURCE’s day-to-day title reinsurance operations.  MARSH IAS will supervise and report to NEWSOURCE’s board of directors regarding ALTISOURCE’s performance with respect to the TSA.  MARSH IAS will refer all technical title insurance underwriting matters to ALTISOURCE and agrees to comply with ALTISOURCE guidance on all technical title insurance underwriting matters.  Marsh IAS agrees to satisfy all information requests from ALTISOURCE in a timely manner. A copy of this service agreement shall be attached hereto as Schedule 3.

 

2.                                      OFFICE RECORDS; REPORTS; EXAMINATIONS; INVESTMENTS AND ACCOUNTS.

 

(a)                                 Office, Books and Records.  MARSH IAS shall keep, in a manner and form approved by or acceptable to NEWSOURCE, true and complete books of account and records of all business conducted under and pursuant to this Agreement and shall, at all reasonable times, make available for examination and inspection to a duly authorized representative of NEWSOURCE or the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”), all such books and records. Whenever practicable, such books and records will be kept in an electronic format. Such books and records shall remain the property of NEWSOURCE and shall be delivered promptly to NEWSOURCE or its designee following any termination hereof, but MARSH IAS shall have the right at any time within six years after any termination hereof to inspect such books and records and to make copies thereof or extracts therefrom.

 

(b)                                 Reports to NEWSOURCE.  NEWSOURCE’s fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and shall end on December 31 of each year.  Based on information made available to MARSH IAS, MARSH IAS shall prepare NEWSOURCE’s  financial statements on a monthly basis and, if requested by NEWSOURCE, MARSH IAS shall periodically prepare such other reports as shall be agreed to by MARSH IAS and NEWSOURCE.

 

(c)                                  Reports and Examinations.  MARSH IAS shall prepare and file for NEWSOURCE all Bermudian governmental reports and all other applications and reports as shall be required

 

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by the Insurance Act. NEWSOURCE shall be responsible for any associated fees or taxes. NEWSOURCE shall furnish to MARSH IAS any information in its possession necessary for such reports.

 

MARSH IAS shall notify NEWSOURCE when it learns of any proposed or actual examination or investigation by the BMA or other authorized parties of the business and affairs of NEWSOURCE and MARSH IAS shall reasonably cooperate with any such examination or investigation.

 

(d)                                 Bank Accounts. MARSH IAS shall open, maintain and operate bank accounts in the name of NEWSOURCE, and shall make deposits therein and disbursements therefrom in accordance with such limitations and restrictions as may be set forth in written instructions from, or in resolutions passed by the board of directors of, NEWSOURCE (collectively, “Cash Guidelines”). MARSH IAS shall invest the funds of NEWSOURCE, or liquidate or change such investments only in accordance with such Cash Guidelines. NEWSOURCE may change such Cash Guidelines from time to time, but MARSH IAS shall not be required to recognize such change until MARSH IAS has received written notice thereof. In the event and so long as NEWSOURCE has not provided MARSH IAS with Cash Guidelines, MARSH IAS shall invest the funds of NEWSOURCE solely in overnight deposits in [Bank]. MARSH IAS shall have no liability whatsoever for the soundness of any investments made hereunder, the amount of return from such investments, or the solvency of the institution in which they may be deposited or invested.

 

(e)                                  Information Provided to MARSH IAS.  NEWSOURCE shall keep MARSH IAS informed during the term hereof of all material developments relating to the business of NEWSOURCE and shall promptly furnish to MARSH IAS executed sets of all minutes of the meetings of and the resolutions adopted by the shareholders and the board of directors of NEWSOURCE.  NEWSOURCE shall allow a MARSH IAS employee to attend all NEWSOURCE board of directors meetings.

 

(f)                                   Authority of MARSH IAS.  MARSH IAS shall have all the power and authority necessary or desirable to carry out its duties and obligations hereunder, which shall include the right to engage, as an independent contractor, any person, corporation or other organization to perform any functions to be performed hereunder by MARSH IAS. The authority granted hereunder shall specifically include the right to engage other MARSH IAS affiliates.

 

(g)                                 Confidentiality. MARSH IAS acknowledges that all non-public information disclosed by NEWSOURCE or which comes to its attention during the course of performing services hereunder (“Confidential Information”) constitutes a valuable asset, is proprietary to NEWSOURCE, and that MARSH IAS has a duty to keep such information strictly confidential.  MARSH IAS will not disclose such information, or permit its employees, officers or agents to disclose such information to any person outside MARSH IAS, without NEWSOURCE’s prior written consent.  MARSH IAS shall take all steps reasonably required to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information in its possession.  The transmission of Confidential Information via electronic data transmission networks which provide for the security of users’ data shall be deemed consistent with MARSH IAS’ obligations hereunder unless such use is contrary to NEWSOURCE’s express instructions.

 

The restrictions and agreements set forth herein shall not apply to any Confidential Information

 

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(i) which at the time disclosed to or obtained by MARSH IAS is in the public domain; (ii) which becomes part of the public domain through no act, omission or fault of MARSH IAS; (iii) which MARSH IAS’ records demonstrate was developed independently by MARSH IAS or was received by MARSH IAS from a third party which MARSH IAS had not reason to believe had any confidentiality or fiduciary obligation to NEWSOURCE with respect to such information. This provision, however, shall in no way limit MARSH IAS’s responsibility to disclose information as required by law.  The obligations of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement by ten years.

 

3.                                      RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTIES; LIMITATION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

 

(a)                                 Independent Contractors. This Agreement establishes a relationship of independent contractors between the parties. As such, subject to the terms hereof, each shall conduct its business at its own initiative, responsibility and expense, and shall have no authority to incur any obligation on behalf of the other party. No third party shall have or be deemed to acquire any rights hereunder. Neither party shall use the name of the other party or any affiliate of such other party in any public document, advertising, public relations release or any other publicity without the prior written consent of such other party.

 

(b)                                 Compliance with Laws.  MARSH IAS shall use its best efforts to advise NEWSOURCE regarding compliance with the Insurance Act and related amendments, regulations, guidance notes and the Insurer’s Code of Conduct. MARSH IAS shall not be responsible for advice on compliance with the laws in any other jurisdiction in which NEWSOURCE does business. MARSH IAS is not licensed to practice law and its advice should not be construed as legal advice.

 

(c)                                  Scope of Services.  The obligations of MARSH IAS hereunder are limited to the good faith performance of the services to NEWSOURCE set forth herein. MARSH IAS is entitled to rely on information or instructions (oral or written) provided by NEWSOURCE and MARSH IAS shall have no responsibility for the accuracy, authenticity or completeness of such information or instructions. MARSH IAS shall not have any other or further obligations or responsibilities to NEWSOURCE, including, but not limited to, any obligation or responsibility for the payment of any insurance or reinsurance premiums, the profitability of the business of NEWSOURCE, the solvency of any person (including NEWSOURCE) or the failure of third parties (including insurers and reinsurers) to fulfill their obligations.

 

(d)                                 Limit of Liability.  In no event shall either party to this Agreement be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages or for any lost profits arising out of or relating to any services provided by MARSH IAS or its affiliates.  The aggregate liability of MARSH IAS, its affiliates and its and their employees to NEWSOURCE or its affiliates arising out of or relating to the provision of services by MARSH IAS or its affiliates shall not exceed three times the fee paid to MARSH IAS hereunder for the contract year in which the services giving rise to such liability were provided by MARSH IAS or its affiliates.  This provision applies to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

(e)                                  Indemnification.  NEWSOURCE shall indemnify and hold harmless MARSH IAS, its officers, directors, employees (including those employees acting in the capacity of a director of officer of NEWSOURCE), agents and affiliates from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, cost or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of investigation

 

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(collectively, “Losses”), to which MARSH IAS may become subject in connection with the services it provides hereunder except to the extent that a court having jurisdiction shall have determined by a final judgment that such Losses resulted from MARSH IAS’s willful misconduct or fraud. NEWSOURCE shall cause its parent corporation to guarantee NEWSOURCE’s obligation to indemnify and hold harmless MARSH IAS. The provisions of this section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, including any extensions thereof.

 

(f)                                   Coverage for Directors and Officers.  If an employee of MARSH IAS acts as a director or officer of NEWSOURCE, such person shall be insured under NEWSOURCE’s directors and officers liability policy, or under the directors and officers liability policy of the parent corporation of NEWSOURCE, and certification or other evidence of such coverage shall be attached hereto as Schedule 2 and made a part hereof. NEWSOURCE shall notify MARSH IAS if such coverage is terminated or if changes are made to such coverage affecting MARSH IAS. The provisions of this section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, including any extensions thereof. Any employee of MARSH IAS acting as a director of NEWSOURCE shall be considered a non-executive director in any event and the board minutes of NEWSOURCE must reflect same.

 

4.                                      COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.

 

Fees and expenses for MARSH IAS’s services hereunder shall be determined and paid in accordance with Schedule 1, which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. MARSH IAS agrees to disclose to NEWSOURCE any other compensation to be earned by MARSH IAS in connection with the services to be provided to NEWSOURCE hereunder, and to obtain NEWSOURCE’s written consent prior to accepting such other compensation.

 

5.                                      EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION.

 

(a)                                 Effective Date and Normal Termination.  This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall continue from year to year until terminated by the agreement of the parties; provided, however, that either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ written notice to the other party of its intention to do so. Upon the expiration or termination hereof, MARSH IAS shall have no further duties or obligations hereunder unless specifically set forth herein or otherwise agreed to by the parties.

 

(b)                                 Termination for Breach or Bankruptcy.  This Agreement may also be terminated forthwith by written notice of termination to the other party upon the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(i)                                     If such other party fails to perform or observe, or commits a breach of, any provision hereof, and fails to cure, remedy or satisfactorily explain such failure or breach within thirty (30) days following delivery to such other party of a written notice of the alleged failure or breach, or

 

(ii)                                  If such other party become insolvent (in the legal sense) or files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or if a committee of creditors or other representative is appointed to represent its business or an involuntary petition in bankruptcy is filed against it, and the party fails within thirty

 

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(30) days following the appointment of such committee or representative or the filing of such involuntary petition to cause the discharge of such committee or representative or the dismissal of such petition; or if the other party commits any other act indicating insolvency.

 

6.                                      MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)                                 Non-Exclusivity.  This Agreement shall not in any way prevent MARSH IAS from performing similar services for third parties.

 

(b)                                 Foreign Exchange.  MARSH IAS shall convert all expenses and costs paid by MARSH IAS on behalf of NEWSOURCE in any currency other than United States dollars to United States dollars at the conversion rate in effect on the date that MARSH IAS paid the expenses or costs, so that all exchange gain or loss incident thereto shall be incurred by or inure to the benefit of NEWSOURCE.

 

(c)                                  Assignments.  Neither this Agreement nor any right, benefit or obligation conferred or imposed hereunder is assignable in whole or in part, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that either party may make such an assignment to a corporation which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the assignor.

 

(d)                                 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors, legal representatives or permitted assigns of the parties hereto.

 

(e)                                  MARSH IAS Personnel.  NEWSOURCE agrees that neither it nor any NEWSOURCE affiliate will during the term of this Agreement, or for twelve months after termination, hire or solicit to hire any MARSH IAS employees who have provided captive management services within the scope of this Agreement, for the purposes of providing captive management services to NEWSOURCE or any NEWSOURCE affiliate, without the express written consent of MARSH IAS, provided, however, that in no event shall this Agreement restrict any general solicitation of employment by NEWSOURCE.  In the event NEWSOURCE or NEWSOURCE affiliate hires any MARSH IAS employee as a result of a violation of this paragraph (e) during the term of this Agreement or within the twelve months following the termination of this Agreement, NEWSOURCE agrees to pay to MARSH IAS an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the MARSH IAS employee’s gross annual salary during the most recent twelve months of the MARSH IAS employee’s employment with MARSH IAS. NEWSOURCE and MARSH IAS agree that the amount payable to MARSH IAS for hiring of its employees is a reasonable forecast of the probable harm that will be caused MARSH IAS by such an event and that the amount is not a penalty.

 

(f)                                   Entire Agreement.  All prior negotiations and agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are superseded by this Agreement, and there are no representations, warranties, understandings or agreements other than those expressly set forth herein, except as subsequently modified by an instrument signed by the parties hereto.

 

(g)                                 Waivers.  The failure of either party at any time to require the other party’s performance of any obligation hereunder shall not affect the right to require performance of that obligation in the future. Any waiver by either party of any breach of any provision hereof

 

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shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver or modification of the provision itself, or a waiver or modification of any other right hereunder.

 

(h)                                 Notices.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed given upon delivery if delivered personally, or three days after mailing if mailed by an international overnight courier if such courier provides evidence of receipt, or the next business day if sent by facsimile and confirmed by mail, as follows:

 

	
To   MARSH IAS:
    	
MARSH   IAS Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd.
    
	
 
    	
P.O. Box   HM 1826
    
	
 
    	
Hamilton HM HX, Bermuda
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Legal Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
To NEWSOURCE:
    	
NEWSOURCE REINSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.
    
	
 
    	
[Address]
    

 

or to such other addresses as such parties shall have last designated by notice to the other parties.

 

(i)                                    Captions.  The captions of the several sections of this Agreement are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and are neither a part of nor intended to govern, limit or aid in the construction of any term or provision hereof.

 

(j)                                    Governing Law.  The validity, construction and enforceability of this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of Bermuda.

 

(k)                                 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including its formation and validity, shall be referred to binding arbitration in accordance with the Bermuda Arbitration Act 1986 and amendments thereto (the “Bermuda Arbitration Act”).  Arbitration shall be initiated by the delivery, by mail, facsimile, or other reliable means, of a written demand for arbitration by one party to the other party.  The arbitration shall be held in Hamilton, Bermuda or such other place as the parties may mutually agree.  The arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators, with each party selecting one arbitrator and the two arbitrators selecting the third arbitrator.  If the two arbitrators are unable to agree upon the third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the Bermuda Arbitration Act.  None of the arbitrators shall be under the control of any of the parties, and none shall have any financial interest in the outcome of the arbitration.  Each of the arbitrators shall be an active or retired officer of an insurance or reinsurance company with at least fifteen years insurance industry or reinsurance experience and a member of a recognized body of arbitration professionals. The arbitrator shall render the award in writing.  Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.  Each party shall pay an equal share of the fees and expenses of the arbitrator and of the other expenses of the arbitration.

 

(l)                                    Submission to Jurisdiction.  Each of the parties expressly and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Bermuda for immediate injunctive relief or enforcement of an arbitration award that would not be available in arbitration.  Each of the parties agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating to this Agreement in the courts of Bermuda that are unable to be brought by way of the arbitration process.  Each of the

 

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parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein in the courts of Bermuda and further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  Each of the parties further expressly and irrevocably waives any claim or defense in any such action, suit or proceeding in either such court based upon any lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue or forum non conveniens or any similar basis unless any such action, suit or proceeding should have been brought pursuant to the agreed arbitration process.

 

(m)                             Severability.  It is the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.  To the extent that the terms set forth in this Agreement or any word, phrase, clause or sentence is found to be illegal or unenforceable for any reason, such word, phrase, clause or sentence shall be modified or deleted in such manner so as to afford the party for whose benefit it was intended the fullest benefit commensurate with making this Agreement, as modified, enforceable, and the balance of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, the balance being construed as severable and independent.

 

(n)                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(o)                                 Survival.  The representations, warranties and agreements contained or referred to herein, shall survive the termination hereof, provided that no claims may be initiated by or on behalf of any party against any other party on the basis of such representations, warranties and agreements after three years from the termination hereof, unless based upon a breach or failure to comply with an agreement which is to be performed or complied with in whole or in part after three years from the termination hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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MARSH IAS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (BERMUDA) LTD.

 

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

NEWSOURCE REINSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.

 

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

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SCHEDULE 1

COMPENSATION PROVISION

Time and Expense

 

(a)                                 Fees. In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by MARSH IAS, NEWSOURCE shall pay to MARSH IAS an amount equal to (i) a fixed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per year payable in equal quarterly installments of sixty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($62,500) during the contract year (the “Fixed Fee”),  plus (ii) a 1% share of title reinsurance premiums written (the “Performance Fee”)(1). For the purposes hereof a contract year shall mean a twelve (1) month periods commencing on each anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

(b)                                 Adjusting the Fixed Fee.  Should either party wish to adjust the Fixed Fee for the subsequent contract year, then not later than 60 days prior to the expiration of the then current contract year the parties shall negotiate in good faith to establish said Fee for the subsequent contract year. In the absence of an agreement to adjust the Fixed Fee, the Fixed Fee for the subsequent contract year shall be increased by the percentage by which the Bermuda consumer price index has increased during the current contract year.

 

(c)                                  Expenses.  All salaries and fringe benefits of MARSH IAS personnel rendering services hereunder shall be at the expense of MARSH IAS without reimbursement by NEWSOURCE.  MARSH IAS shall charge NEWSOURCE an additional amount equal to 5.5% of the Fixed fee payable in accordance with paragraph (a) above to cover printing costs (e.g. policies and endorsement forms); office supplies (e.g. stationery, office forms and invoices); photocopy and other reproduction charges; telephone and fax charges; record archive charges; and all other out of pocket expenses, overhead costs, expenses and charges incurred in, or incidental to, its business. NEWSOURCE shall be responsible for all other costs such as filing and examination fees; lawyers’ and accountants’ fees, fees for any other services contracted for or on behalf of NEWSOURCE excluding those under the provisions of Section 2(f) hereof; premium and other taxes; and all costs, charges and expenses relative to the processing, handling and adjustment of claims and losses under coverages authorized and/or written by NEWSOURCE. If any such expenses are advanced and paid by MARSH IAS on behalf of NEWSOURCE, NEWSOURCE shall reimburse MARSH IAS therefor upon receipt of the statement noted below.

 

(d)                                 Billing and Payments.  MARSH IAS shall invoice to NEWSOURCE, within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, any fees and expenses which are due and payable in respect of the immediately preceding month. Payment of the amount set forth in the invoice shall be due ten (10) days subsequent to the date of the invoice.

 

(1) NewSource’s audited Bermuda statutory financial statements will be the basis for determining the Performance Fee. It is expected that the Performance Fee will be paid as soon as practicable after the year-end audit has been completed.

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

DIRECTORS’ and OFFICERS’ COVERAGE

Copy of Certificate

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Title Services Agreement, entered into as of [   ], 2011, by and between NewSource Reinsurance Company, Ltd. and ATLTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.EXHIBIT 10.9

 

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of [    ], 2012, between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L., a private limited liability company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (together with its parent and subsidiaries, “Altisource”), and ALTISOURCE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands (together with any subsidiaries, “AAMC”) (each, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties” or “parties”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Altisource and AAMC are parties to a Separation Agreement dated as of [   ], 2012 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Altisource will (i) separate the AAMC Business (as defined in the Separation Agreement) and (ii) distribute (the “Separation”) to the holders of shares of Altisource’s outstanding capital stock all of the outstanding capital stock of AAMC;

 

WHEREAS, following the Separation, AAMC will operate the AAMC Business, and Altisource will operate the Altisource Business (as defined in the Separation Agreement); and

 

WHEREAS, following the Separation, AAMC desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain technology products services in connection with the AAMC Business, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.

 

(a)           Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings given to such terms in the Separation Agreement.

 

(b)           For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Agreement” means this Technology Products Services Agreement, including the Schedules hereto, any Technology Products Letter, any Fee Letter and any SOWs entered into pursuant to Section 2(b).

 

“Applicable Services” means business process outsourcing services of the type provided in the ordinary course of business of the Providing Party as of the date of this Agreement.

 

“Business Day” means any day on which commercial banks are not authorized or required by law to close in New York, New York.

 

“Customer Party” means a party in its capacity of receiving a Service hereunder, including AAMC.

 

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“Fixed Price Project” means any Service designated as such on Schedule I or in a SOW.

 

“Fully Allocated Cost” means, with respect to provision of the Services, the all-in cost of the Providing Party’s provision of such Services, including a share of direct charges of the function providing such Services, and including allocable amounts to reflect compensation and benefits, technology expenses, occupancy and equipment expense, and third-party payments incurred in connection with the provision of such Services, but shall not include any Taxes payable as a result of performance of such Service.

 

“Providing Party” means a party in its capacity of providing a Service hereunder, including Altisource.

 

“Services” means the services set forth on Schedule I and/or in any SOWs, as the context requires.

 

“SOW” means a statement of work entered into between the parties on an as-needed basis to describe a particular service that is not covered specifically in a schedule hereto, but has been agreed to be provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement except as otherwise set forth in such SOW.

 

“Term” means, collectively, the Initial Term and any Renewal Term hereof.

 

2.             Provision of Services.

 

(a)           Generally.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to AAMC, the services set forth on Schedule I, for the periods commencing on the date hereof through the respective period specified on Schedule I (the “Service Period”), unless such period is earlier terminated in accordance with Section 5.

 

(b)           Statements of Work.  In addition to the services set forth on Schedule I, from time to time during the term of this Agreement the parties shall have the right to enter into SOWs to set forth the terms of any related or additional services to be performed hereunder.  Any SOW shall be agreed to by each party, shall be in writing and (I) shall contain, to the extent applicable: (i) the identity of each of the Providing Party and the Customer Party; (ii) a description of the Services to be performed thereunder; (iii) the applicable Performance Standard for the provision of such Service, if different from the Performance Standard; (iv) a description of the penalties of nonperformance and the incentives for performance in accordance with the applicable Performance Standard; (v) a description of the Customer Party’s criteria for evaluating the acceptance of deliverables; (vi) the amount, schedule and method of compensation for provision of such Service; and (vii) the Customer Party’s standard operating procedures for receipt of services similar to such Service, including operations, compliance requirements and related training schedules; and (II) may contain (i) a description of the renewal option for such SOW; (ii) information technology support requirements of the Customer Party with respect to such Service; (iii) training and support commitments with respect to such Service; (iv) the number of full-time employees required for such Service; and (v) any other terms the parties

 

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desired by.  For the avoidance of doubt, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to any SOW.

 

(c)           The Services shall be performed on Business Days during hours that constitute regular business hours for each of Altisource and AAMC, unless otherwise agreed or as provided on Schedule I, or an applicable SOW. No Customer Party shall resell, subcontract, license, sublicense or otherwise transfer any of the Services to any Person whatsoever or permit use of any of the Services by any Person other than by the Customer Party directly in connection with the conduct of the Customer Party’s respective business in the ordinary course of business.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2 (but subject to the second succeeding sentence), the Providing Party shall have the exclusive right to select, employ, pay, supervise, administer, direct and discharge any of its employees who will perform Services.  The Providing Party shall be responsible for paying such employees’ compensation and providing to such employees any benefits. With respect to each Service, the Providing Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have qualified individuals participate in the provision of such Service;  provided,  however, that (i) the Providing Party shall not be obligated to have any individual participate in the provision of any Service if the Providing Party determines that such participation would adversely affect the Providing Party; and (ii) none of the Providing Party shall be required to continue to employ any particular individual during the applicable Service Period.

 

3.             Standard of Performance.  The Providing Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide, or cause to be provided, to the Customer Party, each Service with such quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria identified in the respective SOW (including any “Critical Performance Standards” as identified in any therein) (the “Performance Standard”), unless otherwise specified in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Providing Party shall have any obligation hereunder to provide to any Customer Party any improvements, upgrades, updates, substitutions, modifications or enhancements to any of the Services unless otherwise specified in the Technology Products Letter or applicable SOW.  The Customer Party acknowledges and agrees that the Providing Party may be providing services similar to the Services provided hereunder and/or services that involve the same resources as those used to provide the Services to its business units and other third parties.

 

4.             Fees for Services.

 

(a)           As compensation for a particular Service, the Receiving Party agrees to pay to the Providing Party the Fully Allocated Cost of providing the Services in accordance with this Agreement or, with respect to any SOW, the amount set forth therein.

 

(b)           The Customer Party shall not be obligated to pay fees for (i) new Services, other than Additional Services or Services requested pursuant to a SOW, which the Providing Party performs without the authorization of the Customer Party or (ii) Services not provided due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below).

 

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(c)           The Providing Party shall submit statements of account to the Customer Party (including any Sales Tax, as defined in Section 16) on a monthly basis with respect to all amounts payable by the Customer Party to the Providing Party hereunder (the “Invoiced Amount”), setting out the Services provided (by reference to the particular SOW, if applicable), and the amount billed in United States dollars to the Customer Party as a result of providing such Services.  The Customer Party shall pay the Invoiced Amount to the Providing Party by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts specified by the Providing Party, or in such other manner as specified by the Providing Party in writing, or as otherwise reasonably agreed to by the Parties, within 30 days of the date of delivery to the Customer Party of the applicable statement of account; provided, that, in the event of any dispute as to an Invoiced Amount, the Customer Party shall pay the undisputed portion, if any, of such Invoiced Amount in accordance with the foregoing, and shall pay the remaining amount, if any, promptly upon resolution of such dispute.

 

(d)           The Providing Party shall maintain books and records adequate for the provision of the Services.  At its own expense, the Customer Party may request an audit of the books and records of the Providing Party to determine performance in accordance with Section 4(c).  If such audit reveals an underpayment of fees, the Customer Party shall promptly pay the underpayment amount in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If such audit reveals an overpayment of fees, the Providing Party shall promptly refund the overpayment amount in accordance with Section 4(c).

 

(e)           The Providing Party may, in its discretion and without any liability, suspend any performance under this Agreement upon failure of the Customer Party to make timely any payments required under this Agreement beyond the applicable cure date specified in Section 6(b)(1) of this Agreement.

 

(f)            In the event that the Customer Party does not make any payment required under the provisions of this Agreement [(including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Technology Products Letter and/or the Fee Letter)] to the Providing Party when due in accordance with the terms hereof, the Providing Party may, at its option, charge the Customer Party interest on the unpaid amount at the rate of 2% per annum above the prime rate charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or its successor). In addition, the Customer Party shall reimburse the Providing Party for all costs of collection of overdue amounts, including any reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

5.             Term.

 

(a)           Initial Term.  The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the Distribution Date and shall continue in full force and effect subject to Section 5(c) hereof until the date that is fifteen (15) years from the Distribution Date (the “Initial Term”), or the earlier date upon which this Agreement has been otherwise terminated in accordance with Section 5(c) hereof.

 

(b)           Renewal Term. This Agreement will automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless either Party decides that it does not wish to renew this Agreement or any particular Service or Additional Services set forth on a SOW hereunder before the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable, by

 

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notifying the other Party in writing at least six (6) months before the completion of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

(c)           In the event either party decides that it does not wish to renew this Agreement or any particular Service or SOW hereunder upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable, such party shall so notify the other party at least nine (9) months before the completion of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

6.             Termination.

 

(a)           Termination by Customer Party.  During the term of this Agreement, the Customer Party may terminate a particular Service or SOW in the event any of the following occurs with respect to such Service or SOW (or, with respect to items (2) and (7) below, Customer may terminate the Agreement in its entirety):

 

(1)           if the Customer Party is prohibited by law from receiving such Services from the Providing Party;

 

(2)           in the event of a material breach of any covenant or representation and warranty contained herein or otherwise directly relating to or affecting the Services to be provided hereunder of the Providing Party that cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such breach to the Providing Party, which notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such breach or Customer Party’s discovery of such breach;

 

(3)           if the Providing Party fails to comply with all applicable regulations to which the Providing Party is subject directly relating to or affecting the Services to be performed hereunder, which failure cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such failure to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such failure or Customer Party’s discovery of such failure;

 

(4)           if the Providing Party providing Services hereunder is cited by a Governmental Authority for materially violating any law governing the performance of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such citation to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such citation or Customer Party’s discovery of such citation;

 

(5)           if the Providing Party fails to meet any Critical Performance Standard for a period of two consecutive months or three nonconsecutive months in any rolling 12-month period, which failure cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such failure to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such failure or Customer Party’s discovery of such failure;

 

(6)           if the Providing Party fails to meet any Performance Standard for a period of two consecutive months or four nonconsecutive months in any rolling 12-month period, which

 

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failure cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such failure to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such failure or Customer Party’s discovery of such failure;

 

(7)           if the Providing Party (A) becomes insolvent, (B) files a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or files any petition or answer seeking reorganization, readjustment or arrangement of its business under any law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or if a receiver, trustee or liquidator is appointed for any of the property of the other party and within 60 days thereof such party fails to secure a dismissal thereof or (C) makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors, which bankruptcy, insolvency or assignment cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such event to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence of such event or Customer Party’s discovery of such event; and

 

(8)           in the event of any material infringement of such Customer Party’s intellectual property, including intellectual property developed hereunder pursuant to Section 10 below, by the Providing Party, which infringement cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Customer Party’s giving of written notice of such event to the Providing Party, which such notice shall be given within 45 days of the later of the occurrence such event or Customer Party’s discovery of such event.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to all items except item (1) above, if the Providing Party has cured the underlying event or circumstance giving rise to written notice of the same, within the time period specified above, the Customer Party may not terminate this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW; provided, however, that the Customer Party may, if it so states in the written notice required to be provided to the Providing Party pursuant to the above, cause the Providing Party to suspend the Service performed under this Agreement or the applicable SOW until the Providing Party has cured such breach, failure, insolvency, bankruptcy or assignment, as the case may be.  Furthermore, if the Providing Party is unable to effect a cure of the event or circumstance occurring under this Section 6(a) within the time period specified, despite a good faith effort to effect such cure, the Customer Party shall allow the Providing Party such additional time as reasonably required to effect such cure without termination of this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW, but in no event shall such additional time exceed 90 days unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

 

(b)           Termination by Providing Party.  During the term of this Agreement, the Providing Party may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW only:

 

(1)           if the Customer Party fails to make any payment for any portion of Services the payment of which is not being disputed in good faith by the Customer Party, which payment remains unmade by the 90th day from the Providing Party’s giving of written notice of such failure to the Customer Party;

 

(2)           if the Customer Party providing Services hereunder, or the Providing Party receives an order from a Governmental Authority prohibiting the performance of the Services;

 

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(3)           if the Providing Party providing Services hereunder is notified by a Governmental Authority, due to the actions of the Customer Party, for materially violating any law governing the performance of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by the Customer Party by the 60th day from the receipt of notice of such violation;

 

(4)           if the Customer Party (A) becomes insolvent, (B) files a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or files any petition or answer seeking reorganization, readjustment or arrangement of its business under any law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or if a receiver, trustee or liquidator is appointed for any of the property of the other party and within 60 days thereof such party fails to secure a dismissal thereof or (C) makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

(5)           in the event of any material infringement of such Providing Party’s intellectual property, including intellectual property developed hereunder pursuant to Section 10 below, by the Customer Party; and

 

(6)           in the event of a material breach of any covenant or representation and warranty contained herein or otherwise directly relating to or affecting the Services to be provided hereunder of the Customer Party that cannot be or has not been cured by the 60th day from the Providing Party’s giving of written notice of such breach to the Customer Party.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to items (3) and (6) above, if the Customer Party has cured the underlying event or circumstance giving rise to written notice of the same, within the time period specified above, the Providing Party may not terminate this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW; provided, however, that the Providing Party may, if it so states in the written notice required to be provided to the Customer Party pursuant to the above, suspend the Service performed hereunder or under the applicable SOW until the Customer Party has cured such violation or breach, as the case may be.  Furthermore, if the Customer Party is unable to effect a cure of the event or circumstance occurring under this Section 6(b) within the time period specified, despite a good faith effort to effect such cure, Providing Party shall allow Customer Party such additional time as reasonably required to effect such cure without termination of this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW, but in no event shall such additional time exceed 90 days unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

 

(c)           Termination for Convenience.  Any Service or SOW may be terminated in whole or in part by the Customer Party on not less than 90 days’ written notice of such termination to the Providing Party in the event the Customer Party discontinues the line of business receiving such Services.  In the event the Customer Party terminates such Service or SOW in accordance with this Section 6(c) unless otherwise set forth herein or in the applicable SOW, such party shall be responsible for payment of any costs and expenses of the Providing Party that are directly related to or resulting from the early termination of such Service or SOW, including, but not limited to, (i) costs and expenses relating to the re-employment or termination of a Providing Party’s employee who had been previously engaged in providing the Services governed by the terminated Service or SOW, (ii) costs and expenses relating to existing contracts with third parties that had been entered into by the Providing Party solely for the provision of Services under such terminated Service or SOW and (iii) costs and expenses relating to facilities,

 

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hardware and equipment (including depreciation) used solely for the purpose of providing such Service or SOW.

 

(d)           Wind-Down Period.  During the period that is six (6) months prior to the date of termination of this Agreement, the Providing Party shall have no obligation to (i) expand the scope of its Services under this Agreement or any SOW, (ii) perform any new or additional Services under this Agreement or any SOW, or (iii) invest in hardware, software or equipment for performance against a Service or SOW.

 

(e)           Post-Termination Services.  Upon termination of this Agreement, any SOW or any Services, for any reason whatsoever, the Customer Party may elect to purchase post-termination services from the Providing Party for a period of 270 days from the date on which this Agreement terminates on the current terms hereunder or in place under the applicable SOW(s).

 

(f)            Effects of Termination.

 

(1)           Upon the early termination of any Service pursuant to this Section 6 or upon the expiration of the applicable Service Period, following the effective time of the termination, the Providing Party shall no longer be obligated to provide such Service; provided that the Customer Party shall be obligated to reimburse the Providing Party for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs attributable to such termination unless otherwise provided herein or in the applicable SOW(s).

 

(2)           No termination, cancelation or expiration of this Agreement shall prejudice the right of either party hereto to recover any payment due at the time of termination, cancelation or expiration (or any payment accruing as a result thereof), nor shall it prejudice any cause of action or claim of either party hereto accrued or to accrue by reason of any breach or default by the other party hereto.

 

(3)           Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Sections 4, 9 and 12 through 22 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.             Change Order Procedures; Temporary Emergency Changes.

 

(a)           The parties hereto may change the nature and scope of Services provided hereunder or under any SOW by mutual agreement.  The party seeking the change shall submit a request containing: (i) the identity of the party requesting such change; (ii) the reason(s) for the change; (iii) a description of the requested change; and (iv) a timetable for the implementation of the change.  The non-requesting Party shall have 30 Business Days to consider the suggested change and either approve or decline such change.  For the avoidance of doubt, no change to any Service or SOW will become part of the Performance Standard for such Service or SOW without the Providing Party’s prior approval.

 

(b)           The parties hereto agree to cooperate in good faith to determine and implement additional procedures for change orders as needed.

 

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(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Providing Party is unable to contact the Customer Party’s designated contact for a specific Service or SOW after reasonable effort, the Providing Party may make temporary changes to any SOW or Services, which the Providing Party shall document and report to the Customer Party the next Business Day.  Such changes shall become permanent only if the Providing Party subsequently follows the procedures in Section 7(a) hereof for permanent change order procedures.  The Customer Party shall not be obligated to pay for any changed Services performed without its prior approval.

 

(d)           The Customer Party may, in an emergency, request additional Services to be performed as promptly as practicable, and the Providing Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to perform such Services as promptly as practicable. While the Providing Party will continue to provide services in line with the request from the Customer Party, in the event that the Providing Party plans to incur materially additional costs in providing this service, the Providing Party may submit a financial proposal to make the Providing Party financially whole.  In such a case, the Customer Party and Providing Party may agree for the one-time increase in payment for the emergency.  Such emergency request shall last no longer than 30 Business Days, and the Providing Party shall have no obligation to continue performing such Services unless the Customer Party follows the procedures in Section 7(a) hereof for permanent change order procedures.

 

8.             Right of First Opportunity.

 

(a)           If the Customer Party elects to receive any Additional Service (as defined below), it shall first request a proposal for the provision of such Additional Service from the Providing Party.  The Providing Party shall have 30 Business Days (the “Exclusive Tender Period”) to respond to such request for Additional Service and to provide a proposed SOW to the Customer Party.  During the Exclusive Tender Period, the Customer Party shall not solicit proposals or negotiate with any other third party with respect to such request for Additional Service.  Upon receipt of the Providing Party’s proposal for the Additional Service, the Customer Party shall consider such proposal and shall negotiate with the Providing Party in good faith with respect to the possible provision by the Providing Party of such Additional Services.

 

(b)           If, at the end of the Exclusive Tender Period, the Providing Party and the Customer Party do not agree on the proposed SOW, the Customer Party may solicit proposals from third parties with respect to the Additional Service; provided, however, that the Customer Party shall not disclose any information received from the Providing Party, whether verbal or written, in the proposed SOW or during the Exclusive Tender Period negotiations, and such information shall be subject to the terms of Section 12 (Confidentiality) hereof.

 

(c)           Alternatively to the procedures set forth in Sections 8(a) and 8(b), Customer Party may solicit proposals or negotiate with third parties with respect to an Additional Service (such third parties, “Third Party Additional Service Providers”) during the Exclusive Tender Period so long as:

 

(1)           at least fifteen Business Days prior to engaging any Third Party Additional Service Provider, Customer Party shall disclose to Providing Party a description of the Additional Services to be provided by such Third Party Additional Service Provider and all fees,

 

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costs and other expenses to be charged by such Third Party Additional Service Provider (such description, a “Third Party Additional Service Offer”),

 

(2)           within ten Business Days of receipt of any Third Party Additional Service Offer, Providing Party shall have the right to make an offer (a “Matching Offer”) to provide the same or substantially the same Additional Services as set forth in the Third Party Additional Service Offer, and

 

(3)           if the fees set forth in the Matching Offer do not exceed the fees set forth in the Third Party Additional Services Offer, Customer Party may not accept the Third Party Additional Services Offer.  Conversely, if the fees set forth in the Matching Offer exceed the fees set forth in the Third Party Additional Services Offer, Customer Party may accept the Third Party Additional Services Offer.

 

(d)           For purposes of this Agreement, “Additional Service” means: a service that (i) is reasonably similar to the Services provided hereunder or under any SOW, (ii) reasonably could be performed in facilities located in India, the United States, Canada, Uruguay or other facilities similar to the Providing Party’s facilities in these locations; (iii) reasonably would be expected to involve a purchase volume greater than $100,000 on an annual basis; and (iv) is not an Applicable Service.

 

(e)           For the avoidance of doubt, the Providing Party shall not be restricted from providing services to a third party that are similar or identical to the Services.

 

9.             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by facsimile, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party hereto or thereto and delivered to the other parties hereto or thereto.

 

(b)           This Agreement and the schedule attached hereto contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter and there are no agreements or understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

 

(c)           Altisource represents and AAMC represents as follows:

 

(1)           each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and

 

(2)           this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes, or will constitute, a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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(d)           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly in such State and irrespective of the choice of law principles of the State of New York, as to all matters.

 

(e)           Except for the indemnification rights under this Agreement (a) the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder and (b) there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not provide any third person with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

(f)            All notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given when (a) delivered in person, (b) sent by telecopier (except that, if not sent during normal business hours for the recipient, then at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient) to the fax numbers set forth below or (c) deposited in the United States mail or private express mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to Altisource, to:

 

Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

291, Route d’Arlon

L-1150 Luxembourg

Attn:  Corporate Secretary

Fax No.:  352-2744-9499

 

 

If to AAMC to:

 

Altisource Asset Management Corporation

402 Strand St.

Frederiksted, VI 00840

Attn:  Corporate Secretary

Fax No.:  770-644-7420

 

Either Party may, by notice to the other party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

(g)           If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either party.  Upon any such

 

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determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to affect the original intent of the parties.

 

(h)           The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(i)            Waiver by any Party hereto of any default by any other party hereto of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default.

 

(j)            In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the party or parties who are to be hereby aggrieved shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  The other party or parties shall not oppose the granting of such relief.  The parties to this Agreement agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.  Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

 

(k)           No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by any Party hereto, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

 

(l)            Words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other genders as the context requires.  The terms “hereof,” “herein, “and “herewith” and words of similar import, unless otherwise stated, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the schedules hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  Article, Section, Exhibit, Schedule and Appendix references are to the articles, sections, exhibits, schedules and appendices of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference herein to this Agreement, unless otherwise stated, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, as permitted by Section 9(k).  The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified.  The word “or” shall not be exclusive.  There shall be no presumption of interpreting this Agreement or any provision hereof against the draftsperson of this Agreement or any such provision.

 

(m)          Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of the State of New York located in the County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (if any Party to such action or proceeding has or can acquire jurisdiction), and each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such action or proceeding, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all

 

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claims in respect of the action or proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court and agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court.  The parties to this Agreement agree that any of them may file a copy of this paragraph with any court as written evidence of the knowing, voluntary and bargained agreement between the parties hereto and thereto irrevocably to waive any objections to venue or to convenience of forum.  Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the first sentence of this Section 9(m) may be served on any Party to this Agreement anywhere in the world.

 

10.          Intellectual Property.  The Providing Party shall retain all rights to all technology and intellectual property owned or licensed by the Providing Party prior to the provision of Services hereunder or developed by the Providing Party during the course of and in association with the provision of Services under this Agreement by the Providing Party, including all derivative works.  The Customer Party shall retain all rights to all intellectual property owned or licensed by the Customer Party prior to the provision of Services hereunder or developed by the Customer Party during the course of and in association with the provision of Services by the Providing Party under this Agreement including all derivative works.

 

11.          Cooperation; Access.

 

(a)           The Customer Party shall permit the Providing Party and its employees and representatives access, on Business Days during hours that constitute regular business hours for the Customer Party and upon reasonable prior request, to the premises of the Customer Party and such data, books, records and personnel designated by the Customer Party as involved in receiving or overseeing the Services as the Providing Party may reasonably request for the purposes of providing the Services.  The Providing Party shall provide the Customer Party, upon reasonable prior written notice, such documentation relating to the provision of the Services as the Customer Party may reasonably request for the purposes of confirming any Invoiced Amount pursuant to this Agreement. Any documentation so provided to the Providing Party pursuant to this Section will be subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Each party hereto shall designate a relationship manager (each, a “Relationship Executive”) to report and discuss issues with respect to the provision of the Services and successor relationship executives in the event that a designated Relationship Executive is not available to perform such role hereunder.  The initial Relationship Executive designated by Altisource shall be William B. Shepro and the initial Relationship Executive designated by AAMC shall be Ashish Pandey.  Either party may replace its Relationship Executive at any time by providing written notice thereof to the other party hereto.

 

12.          Confidentiality.

 

(a)           Subject to Section 12(b), each of Altisource and AAMC, agrees to hold, and to cause its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to confidential and proprietary information of Altisource pursuant to policies in effect as of the Distribution Date, all Information concerning the other party that is either in its possession

 

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(including Information in its possession prior to the Distribution Date) or furnished by the other party or its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not use any such Information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder, except to the extent that such Information has been (i) in the public domain through no fault of such party or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such party, which sources are not known by such party to be themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation, or (iii) independently generated without reference to any proprietary or confidential Information of the other party.

 

(b)           Each party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any such Information (excluding Information described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 12(a)) to any other Person, except its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives who need to know such Information (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such Information), except in compliance with Section 12(c).  Without limiting the foregoing, when any Information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement, each party will promptly, after request of the other party, either return the Information to the other party in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or certify to the other party that any Information not returned in a tangible form (including any such Information that exists in an electronic form) has been destroyed (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon).

 

(c)           In the event that either party determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any Information pursuant to applicable law or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide Information of the other party that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such party shall, to the extent permitted by law, notify the other party prior to disclosing or providing such Information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the requesting Party, in seeking any reasonable protective arrangements requested by such other party.  Subject to the foregoing, the Person that received such request may thereafter disclose or provide Information to the extent required by such law (as so advised by counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority.

 

13.          Dispute Resolution.

 

(a)           It is the intent of the parties to use reasonable best efforts to resolve expeditiously any dispute, controversy or claim between or among them with respect to the matters covered hereby that may arise from time to time on a mutually acceptable negotiated basis.  In furtherance of the foregoing, a Party involved in a dispute, controversy or claim may deliver a notice (an “Escalation Notice”) demanding an in-person meeting involving representatives of the parties at a senior level of management (or if the parties agree, of the appropriate strategic business unit or division within such entity).  A copy of any such Escalation Notice shall be given to the General Counsel, or like officer or official, of the party involved in the dispute, controversy or claim (which copy shall state that it is an Escalation Notice pursuant to this Agreement).  Any agenda, location or procedures for such discussions or negotiations

 

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between the parties may be established by the parties from time to time; provided, however, that the parties shall use reasonable best efforts to meet within 30 days of the Escalation Notice.

 

14.          Warranties; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity.

 

(a)           Other than the statements expressly made by the Providing Party in this Agreement or in any SOW, the Providing Party makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the Services and, except as provided in Section 14(b) hereof, the Customer Party hereby waives, releases and renounces all other representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities of the Providing Party, and any other rights, claims and remedies of the Customer Party against the Providing Party, express or implied, arising by law or otherwise, with respect to any nonconformance, error, durability, omission or defect in any of the Services, including (i) any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement, (ii) any implied warranty arising from course of performance, course of dealing or usage of trade and (iii) any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy in tort, whether or not arising from the negligence of the Providing Party.

 

(b)           None of the Providing Party or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Providing Party or such person under or in connection with this Agreement, except that the Providing Party shall be liable for direct damages or losses incurred by the Customer Party arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Providing Party or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives in the performance or nonperformance of the Services or Ancillary Services.

 

(c)           In no event shall (i) the amount of damages or losses for which the Providing Party and the Customer Party may be liable under this Agreement exceed the fees due to the Providing Party for the most recent 6 month period under the applicable Service or SOW(s), provided that if Services have been performed for less than 6 months, then the damages or losses will be limited to the value of the actual Services performed during such period; or (ii) the aggregate amount of all such damages or losses for which the Providing Party may be liable under this Agreement exceed $1,000,000; provided, that, no such cap shall apply to liability for damages or losses arising from or relating to breaches of Section 12 (relating to confidentiality), infringement of intellectual property or fraud or criminal acts.  Except as provided in Section 14(b) hereof, none of the Providing Party or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by, or the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, any third party.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the Providing Party or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for damages or losses incurred by the Customer Party for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Providing Party or such other person under or in connection with this Agreement to the extent such action or omission arises from actions taken or omitted to be taken by, or the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, the Customer Party.

 

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(e)           Without limiting Section 14(b) hereof, no Party hereto or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall in any event have any obligation or liability to the other party hereto or any such other person whether arising in contract (including warranty), tort (including active, passive or imputed negligence) or otherwise for consequential, incidental, indirect, special or punitive damages, whether foreseeable or not, arising out of the performance of the Services or this Agreement, including any loss of revenue or profits, even if a Party hereto has been notified about the possibility of such damages; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 14(e) shall not limit the indemnification obligations hereunder of either party hereto with respect to any liability that the other party hereto may have to any third party not affiliated the Providing Party or the Customer Party for any incidental, consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages.

 

(f)            The Customer Party shall indemnify and hold the Providing Party and any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives harmless from and against any and all damages, claims or losses that the Providing Party or any such other person may at any time suffer or incur, or become subject to, as a result of or in connection with this Agreement or the Services provided hereunder, except those damages, claims or losses incurred by the Providing Party or such other person arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Providing Party or such other person.

 

15.          Additional Agreements.  The Providing Party shall:

 

(a)           maintain data backup and document storage and retrieval systems adequate for the provision of the Services;

 

(b)           maintain a business continuity plan adequate for the provision of the Services and shall provide a copy of such plan upon the Customer Party’s request; and

 

(c)           provide the Services under this Agreement and any SOW in compliance with (i) all obligations and applicable laws, including, but not limited to, privacy and data protection laws, labor and overtime laws, tax laws, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and environmental protection laws and (ii) all requirements from any Governmental Authority to maintain necessary licenses and permits.

 

16.          Taxes.  Unless otherwise provided herein or in an applicable SOW, each party hereto shall be responsible for the cost of any sales, use, privilege and other transfer or similar taxes imposed upon that Party as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. Any amounts payable under this Agreement are exclusive of any goods and services taxes, value added taxes, sales taxes or similar taxes (“Sales Taxes”) now or hereinafter imposed on the performance or delivery of Services, and an amount equal to such taxes so chargeable shall, subject to receipt of a valid receipt or invoice as required below in this Section 16, be paid by the Customer Party to the Providing Party in addition to the amounts otherwise payable under this Agreement.  In each case where an amount in respect of Sales Tax is payable by the Customer Party in respect of a Service provided by the Providing Party, the Providing Party shall furnish in a timely manner a valid Sales Tax receipt or invoice to the Customer Party in the form and

 

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manner required by applicable law to allow the Customer Party to recover such tax to the extent allowable under such law.

 

17.          Public Announcements.  No Party to this Agreement shall make, or cause to be made, any press release or public announcement or otherwise communicate with any news media in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto unless otherwise required by law, in which case the party making the press release, public announcement or communication shall give the other party reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such and the parties shall cooperate as to the timing and contents of any such press release, public announcement or communication.

 

18.          Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party hereto may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party hereto; provided, however, that either party may assign this Agreement without the consent of the other party to any third party that acquires, by any means, including by merger or consolidation, all or substantially all the consolidated assets of such party. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 18 shall be void and shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

19.          Relationship of the Parties.  The parties hereto are independent contractors and none of the parties hereto is an employee, partner or joint venturer of the other.  Under no circumstances shall any of the employees of a Party hereto be deemed to be employees of the other party hereto for any purpose.  Except as expressly provided herein, none of the parties hereto shall have the right to bind the others to any agreement with a third party or to represent itself as a partner or joint venturer of the other by reason of this Agreement.

 

20.          Force Majeure.  Neither party hereto shall be in default of this Agreement by reason of its delay in the performance of, or failure to perform, any of its obligations hereunder if such delay or failure is caused by strikes, acts of God, acts of the public enemy, acts of terrorism, riots or other events that arise from circumstances beyond the reasonable control of that Party (each, a “Force Majeure Event”).  During the pendency of such Force Majeure Event, each of the parties hereto shall take all reasonable steps to fulfill its obligations hereunder by other means and, in any event, shall upon termination of such intervening event, promptly resume its obligations under this Agreement.

 

21.          Non-Solicitation.  The Customer Party acknowledges that the value to the Providing Party of its business and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would be substantially diminished if such Customer Party was to solicit the employment of or hire any employee of the Providing Party performing Services or who has performed Services hereunder.  Accordingly, the Customer Party agrees that it shall not directly or indirectly and without the prior consent of the other party, solicit the employment of, or hire, employ or retain, or otherwise encourage or cause to leave employment with the Providing Party, or cause any other Person to hire, employ or retain, or otherwise encourage or cause to leave employment with the Providing Party, any Person who is or was employed by the Providing Party with respect to the provision of

 

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Services at any time within twelve (12) months preceding the time of such solicitation or hiring, employment, retention or encouragement.

 

22.          Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY, WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

 

* * * * *

 

18

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Technology Products Services Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their duly authorized representatives.

 

 

	
 
    	
ALTISOURCE   SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ALTISOURCE   ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

SERVICES

 

	
Service
    	
 
    	
Service Period (years)
    
	
SERVICE
   Telephone Systems
   Technology Systems
   Desktop Support Services
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SERVICE

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00209-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00209-of-00352.parquet"}]]