Document:

EX-10.15:EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT/LAUREN HOCHMAN BLAIR

 

Exhibit 10.15

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made as of the 7th day of
November, 2002, by and between NTL Communications Corp., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), and Lauren H. Blair (the “Executive”).

     WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive as
Vice President – Deputy General Counsel of the Company effective as of the
“Effective Date” (as defined in the Second Amended Joint Reorganization Plan of
NTL Incorporated and Certain Subsidiaries, dated as of July 15, 2002 (such
plan, as it may be amended or supplemented, the “Plan”)); and

     WHEREAS, the Executive wishes to accept such employment and to render
services to the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.     Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the
Effective Date. This Agreement constitutes the “Employment Agreement” referred
to in Article IV.I. of the Plan.

     2.     Employment Term.

     (a)  The term of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement (the
“Employment Term”) shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall end on
December 31, 2003, unless the Employment Term terminates earlier pursuant to
Section 7 of this Agreement. The Employment Term may be extended by mutual
agreement of the Company and the Executive; provided, that the Company shall
give the Executive at least 60 days’ notice prior to December 31, 2003 if it
does not intend to seek an extension of the Employment Term.

     (b)  Title: Duties. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall hold
the title and offices of, and serve in the position of, Vice President – Deputy
General Counsel of the Company, and the Executive shall perfom such duties,
services and

 

 

 responsibilities as are reasonably requested from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and normal and customary for
such position. During the Employment Term, the Executive’s principal office
shall be located in New York City or within 60 miles of New York City.

     During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote the Executive’s
full business time, attention and skill to the performance of the Executive’s
duties, services and responsibilities hereunder and shall use the Executive’s
best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. During the Employment
Term, the Executive will not, without the prior written approval of the Board,
engage in any other business activity which could interfere with the
performance of the Executive’s duties, services and responsibilities hereunder
or which is in violation of applicable policies established from time to time
by the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude the
Executive from devoting a reasonable amount of time and attention during the
Employment Term to (i) serving, with the prior approval of the Board, as a
director, trustee or member of a committee of any organization; (ii) engaging
in charitable and community activities; and (iii) managing personal investments
and affairs, so long as any activities of the Executive which are within the
scope of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2(b) do not interfere with
the performance of the Executive’s duties, services and responsibilities
hereunder.

     3.     Monetary Remuneration.

     (a)  Base Salary. During the Employment Term, in consideration of the
performance by the Executive of the Executive’s obligations hereunder to the
Company and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures
(collectively, the “Company Affiliated Group”) in any capacity (including any
services as an officer, director, employee, member of any Board committee or
management committee or otherwise), the Company shall pay to the Executive an
annual salary of $265,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be payable
in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company in effect from
time to time. If the Executive provides services to members of the Company
Affiliated Group other than the Company, no additional compensation shall be

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 paid by any such member to the Executive, and any compensation for such
services (if any) shall be paid to the Company.

     (b)  Annual Cash Bonus. During each fiscal year of the Company that the
Employment Term is in effect, the Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash
bonus in the sole discretion of the Board of up to 200% of the Executive’s Base
Salary (prorated for any partial fiscal year) (the “Annual Cash Bonus”).

     4.     Equity-Based Compensation.

     (a)  Consummation Bonus. Not later than 10 days following the Effective
Date, the Company shall deposit into an escrow account for the benefit of the
Executive shares of common stock of the Company with a value equal to the Base
Salary, such value to be determined by reference to the volume-weighted average
price of the Company’s common stock on the first five trading days with respect
to the common stock on or following the Effective Date. Such shares of common
stock shall be (a) registered at the Company’s cost on a Form S-8 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as soon as practicable after the Effective
Date and (b) delivered to the Executive on the 9-month anniversary of the
Effective Date so long as (x) the Executive is an employee of the Company on
such date or (y) the Executive’s employment has been terminated on or after the
Effective Date but on or before such date and such termination is a Termination
Without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without Cause.

     (b)  Stock Options. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be
eligible to receive options to purchase common stock of the Company at such
exercise prices, schedules as to exercisability and other terms and conditions
as determined in the sole discretion of the Board.

     5.     Benefits.

     (a)  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all of the employee benefit plans, programs, policies and
arrangements (including fringe benefit and executive perquisite programs and
policies) made available by the Company to, or for the benefit of, its senior
executive officers in accordance with

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 the terms thereof as they may be in effect from time to time.

     (b)  Reimbursement of Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by
the Executive in carrying out the Executive’s duties, services and
responsibilities under this Agreement, so long as the Executive complies with
the generally applicable policies, practices and procedures of the Company for
submission of expense reports, receipts or similar documentation of such
expenses. The Executive shall have the right to reimbursement, upon proper
accounting, of reasonable attorney’s fees not to exceed $5,000 in connection
with the negotiation and execution of this Employment Agreement.

     6.     Vacations. For each whole and partial calendar year during the
Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to 5 weeks of paid vacation
(prorated for any partial calendar year), to be credited and taken in
accordance with Company’s policy as in effect from time to time for its
similarly situated executives.

     7.     Termination; Severance.

     (a)  Termination of Employment. The Company may terminate the employment
of the Executive without Cause upon 30 days’ notice to the Executive. In
addition, the employment of the Executive shall automatically terminate as of
the date on which the Executive dies or is Disabled. For purposes of this
Agreement, the Executive shall be “Disabled” as of any date if, as of such
date, the Executive has been unable, due to physical or mental incapacity, to
substantially perform the Executive’s duties, services and responsibilities
hereunder either for a period of at least 180 consecutive days or for at least
270 days in any consecutive 365-day period, whichever may be applicable. Upon
termination of the Executive’s employment because the Executive dies or is
Disabled, the Company shall provide the Executive (or the Executive’s estate,
if applicable) with death or disability benefits (as applicable) pursuant to
the plans, programs, policies and arrangements of the Company as are then in
effect. In addition, upon any termination of the Executive’s employment during
the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the

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 Executive any earned but unpaid portion of the Base Salary and Annual Cash
Bonus. Immediately following termination of the Executive’s employment for any
reason, the Employment Term shall terminate.

     (b)  Termination Without Cause: Constructive Termination Without Cause.
Upon a Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without Cause,
the Company shall, as soon as practicable following the effectiveness of the
general release of claims set forth in Section 7(f), pay the Executive a
lump-sum severance payment of cash equal to the product of the Base Salary
times 3.

     (c)  Termination upon Non-Renewal of the Employment Term. If (i) the
Employment Term shall end on December 31, 2003, (ii) the Executive’s employment
shall terminate on or after January 1, 2004 and on or prior to January 15, 2004
and such termination is not a termination by the Company for Cause or by reason
of the Executive having died or become Disabled and (iii) the Executive is not,
on the date of termination, a party to an employment agreement with the Company
that the parties agree therein is a successor to this Agreement, then the
Company shall, as soon as practicable following the effectiveness of the
general release set forth in Section 7(f), pay the Executive a lump-sum
severance payment of cash equal to the product of the Base Salary times 2.

     (d)  Upon a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for
Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to earned but unpaid Base Salary and
benefits through the date of termination, and the Executive shall not be
entitled to any other payments or benefits.

     (e)  Upon any termination of the Executive’s employment other than by the
Company for Cause, the Executive and his family shall be entitled to continued
medical benefits under (and in accordance with the terms of) the Company’s
benefit plans for 1 year from the date of termination.

     For purposes of this Agreement:

          (i) A “Constructive Termination Without Cause” means a termination of the
Executive’s employment during the Employment Term by the Executive

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within 30 days following the occurrence of any of the following events
without the Executive’s prior consent: (A) failure to continue the Executive in
the position set forth in Section 2(b) (excluding a promotion); or (B) any
material diminution in the Executive’s working conditions, responsibilities or
authorities; (C) assignment to the Executive of duties that are inconsistent,
in a material respect, with the scope of duties and responsibilities associated
with the position set forth in Section 2(b); (D) any materially adverse change
in the reporting structure applicable to the Executive (but not including a
change in the person filling the position to which the Executive reports); (E)
relocation of the Executive’s principal office to a location more than 60 miles
from New York City; (F) failure to grant the Executive, during the six-month
period beginning on the Effective Date, a number of options to purchase common
stock of the Company as, in the Board’s discretion, is commensurate with option
grants made to similarly placed executives in comparable companies; or (G) the
failure of the Company to maintain commercially reasonably directors’ and
officers’ liability insurance. The Executive shall give the Company 10 days’
notice of the Executive’s intention to terminate the Executive’s employment and
claim that a Constructive Termination Without Cause has occurred, and such
notice shall describe the facts and circumstances in support of such claim. The
Company shall have 10 days thereafter to cure such facts and circumstances if
possible.

          (ii) A “Termination Without Cause” means a termination of the Executive’s
employment during the Employment Term by the Company other than for Cause.

          (iii) “Cause” means (x) the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or
nolo contendere to, a felony or to any crime involving fraud, embezzlement or
breach of trust; (y) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to
perform the Executive’s duties hereunder (other than as a result of physical or
mental illness); or (z) in carrying out the Executive’s duties hereunder, the
Executive has engaged in conduct that constitutes gross neglect or willful
misconduct, unless the Executive believed in good faith that such conduct was
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and each

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member of the Company Affiliated Group. The Company shall give the
Executive 10 days’ notice of the Company’s intention to terminate the
Executive’s employment and claim that facts and circumstances constituting
Cause exist, and such notice shall describe the facts and circumstances in
support of such claim. The Executive shall have 10 days thereafter to cure
such facts and circumstances if possible. If the Board reasonably concludes
that the Executive has not cured such facts or circumstances within such time,
Cause shall not be deemed to have been established unless and until the
Executive has received a hearing before the Board (if promptly requested by the
Executive) and a majority of the Board in attendance at a meeting of the Board
that occurs within 10 days of the date of such hearing (if so requested)
reasonably confirms the existence of Cause and the termination of the Executive
therefor. If the Executive is a member of the Board, the Executive hereby
recuses himself or herself from the deliberations and vote of the Board at such
subsequent meeting.

     (f)  Release; Full Satisfaction. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, no severance pay shall become payable under this Agreement
unless and until the Executive executes a general release of claims in form and
manner satisfactory to the Company and such release has become irrevocable;
provided, that the Executive shall not be required to release any
indemnification rights. The payments to be provided to the Executive pursuant
to this Section 7 upon termination of the Executive’s employment shall
constitute the exclusive payments in the nature of severance or termination pay
or salary continuation which shall be due to the Executive upon a termination
of employment and shall be in lieu of any other such payments under any plan,
program, policy or other arrangement which has heretofore been or shall
hereafter be established by any member of the Company Affiliated Group.

     (g) Resignation as a Director. Upon termination of the Executive’s
employment for any reason, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from
the Board and from all other boards of, and other positions with, any member of
the Company Affiliated Group, as applicable.

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     (h)  Cooperation Following Termination. Following termination of the
Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive agrees to reasonably
cooperate with the Company upon reasonable request of the Board and to be
reasonably available to the Company with respect to matters arising out of the
Executive’s services to any member of the Company Affiliated Group. The
Company shall reimburse the Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with such matters.

     8.     Executive’s Representation. The Executive represents to the Company
that the Executive’s execution and performance of this Agreement does not
violate any agreement or obligation (whether or not written) that the Executive
may have with or to any person or entity including, but not limited to, any
prior employer.

     9.     Executive’s Covenants.

     (a)  Confidentiality. The Executive agrees and understands that the
Executive has been, and in the Executive’s position with the Company the
Executive will be, exposed to and receive information relating to the
confidential affairs of the Company Affiliated Group, including, but not
limited to, technical information, business and marketing plans, strategies,
customer (or potential customer) information, other information concerning the
products, promotions, development, financing, pricing, technology, inventions,
expansion plans, business policies and practices of the Company Affiliated
Group, whether or not reduced to tangible form, and other forms of information
considered by the Company Affiliated Group to be confidential and in the nature
of trade secrets. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall keep such
information confidential and will not disclose such information, either
directly or indirectly, to any third person or entity without the prior written
consent of the Company; provided, however, that (i) the Executive shall have no
obligation under this Section 9(a) with respect to any information that is or
becomes publicly known other than as a result of the Executive’s breach of the
Executive’s obligations hereunder and (ii) the Executive may (x) disclose such
information to the extent reasonable and necessary for the performance of the
Executive’s duties hereunder or, (y) after giving prior notice to the Company
to the extent practicable , under

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 the circumstances, disclose such information to the extent required by
applicable laws or governmental regulations or by judicial or regulatory
process. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall
promptly supply to the Company all property, keys, notes, memoranda, writings,
lists, files, reports, customer lists, correspondence, tapes, disks, cards,
surveys, maps, logs, machines, technical data and any other tangible product or
document which has been produced by, received by or otherwise submitted to the
Executive in the course of or otherwise in connection with the Executive’s
services to the Company Affiliated Group during or prior to the Employment
Term.

     (b)  Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. During the period commencing
upon the Effective Date and ending on the 18-month anniversary of the
termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall
not, as an employee, employer, stockholder, officer, director, partner,
associate, consultant or other independent contractor, advisor, proprietor,
lender, or in any other manner or capacity (other than with respect to the
Executive’s services to the Company Affiliated Group), directly or indirectly:

          (i) perform services for, or otherwise have any involvement with, a
business unit of a person, where such business unit competes directly or
indirectly with any member of the Company Affiliated Group by owning or
operating (x) broadband communications networks for telephone, cable television
or internet services or (y) transmission networks for television and radio
broadcasting, in each case principally in the United Kingdom or Ireland (the
“Core Businesses”); provided, however, that this Agreement shall not prohibit
the Executive from owning up to 1 % of any class of equity securities of one or
more publicly traded companies;

          (ii) solicit or hire any individual who is, or within the 12 months prior
to the Executive’s termination was, an employee of any member of the Company
Affiliated Group or otherwise interfere with or disrupt the employment
relationship between any member of the Company Affiliated Group and any such
individual; or

          (iii) solicit, in competition with any member of the Company

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Affiliated Group in the Core Businesses, any business, or order of
business, from any person that the Executive knows was a current or prospective
customer of any member of the Company Affiliated Group during the Executive’s
employment.

     (c)  Proprietary Rights. The Executive shall disclose promptly to the
Company any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements and patentable or
copyrightable works initiated, conceived or made by the Executive, either alone
or in conjunction with others, during or prior to the Employment Term and
related to the business or activities of any member of the Company Affiliated
Group, and the Executive assigns all of the Executive’s interest therein to the
Company or its nominee. Whenever requested to do so by the Company, the
Executive shall execute any and all applications, assignments or other
instruments which the Company shall deem necessary to apply for and obtain
trademarks, patents or copyrights of the United States or any foreign country
or otherwise protect the interest of any member of the Company
Affiliated Group therein. These obligations shall continue beyond the
conclusion of the Employment Term with respect to inventions, discoveries,
improvements or copyrightable works initiated, conceived or made by the
Executive during the Employment Term and shall be binding upon the Executive’s
subsequent employers, assigns, executors, administrators and other legal
representatives.

     (d)  Acknowledgment. The Executive expressly recognizes and agrees that
the restraints imposed by this Section 9 are reasonable as to time and
geographic scope and are not oppressive. The Executive further expressly
recognizes and agrees that the restraints imposed by this Section 9 represent a
reasonable and necessary resniction for the protection of the legitimate
interests of the Company Affiliated Group, that the failure by the Executive to
observe and comply with the covenants and agreements in this Section 9 will
cause irreparable harm to the Company Affiliated Group, that it is and will
continue to be difficult to ascertain the harm and damages to the Company
Affiliated Group that such a failure by the Executive would cause, that the
consideration received by the Executive for entering into these covenants and
agreements is fair, that the covenants and agreements and

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 their enforcement will not deprive the Executive of an ability to earn a
reasonable living, and that the Executive has acquired knowledge and skills in
this field that will allow the Executive to obtain employment without violating
these covenants and agreements. The Executive further expressly acknowledges
that the Executive has consulted independent counsel, and has reviewed and
considered this Agreement with that counsel, before executing this Agreement.

     (e)  Notice. The Executive shall give the Company 10 days’notice of any
claim that the Company has materially breached any material obligation under
this Agreement following the Executive’s termination of employment, and such
notice shall describe the facts and circumstances in support of such claim. The
Company shall have 10 days thereafter to cure such facts and circumstances if
possible. If the Executive reasonably concludes that the Company has not cured
such facts or circumstances within such time and such facts or circumstances
exist, then this Section 9 shall cease to be of force and effect from and after
the date of such material breach.

     10.     Indemnification.

     (a)  To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Company shall
indemnify the Executive against, and save and hold the Executive harmless from,
any damages, liabilities, losses, judgments, penalties, fines, amounts paid or
to be paid in settlement, costs and reasonable expenses (including, but not
limited to, attorneys’ fees ,. and expenses), resulting from, arising out of or
in connection with any threatened, pending or completed claim, action,
proceeding or investigation (whether civil or criminal) against or affecting
the Executive as a result of the Executive’s service from and after the
Effective Date as an officer, director or employee of, or consultant to, any
member of the Company Affiliated Group, or in any capacity at the request of
any member of the Company Affiliated Group, or an officer, director or employee
thereof, in or with regard to any other entity, employee benefit plan or
enterprise (other than arising out of the Executive’s acts of willful
misconduct, misappropriation of funds or fraud). In the event the Company does
not compromise or assume the defense of any indemnifiable claim or action
against the

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 Executive, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
promptly pay to the Executive all costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred
by the Executive in defending or responding to any claim or investigation in
advance of the final disposition thereof; provided, however, that if it is
ultimately determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
(from whose decision no appeals may be taken, or the time for appeal having
lapsed) that the Executive was not entitled to indemnity hereunder, then the
Executive shall repay forthwith all amounts so advanced. The Company may not
agree to any settlement or compromise of any claim against the Executive, other
than a settlement or compromise solely for monetary damages for which the
Company shall be solely responsible, without the prior written consent of the
Executive, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This right to
indemnification shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right to
indemnification to which the Executive shall be entitled pursuant to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or otherwise.

     (b)  Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to maintain commercially reasonable directors’ and
officers’ liability insurance during the Employment Term.

     11.     Release of Claims. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive,
with the intent of binding the Executive and the Executive’s heirs, successors
and assigns, hereby releases, remises, acquits and forever discharges the
Company and each member of the Company Affiliated Group, the divisions,
successors, predecessors and assigns thereof, and the present and former
officers, directors, executives, agents, attorneys and employees thereof
(collectively, the “Released Parties”), of and from any and all claims,
actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, debts, sums of money,
accounts, financial obligations, suits, expenses, attorneys’ fees and
liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which the Executive individually or
as a member of a class now has, owns or holds, or has at any time heretofore
had, owned or held, against any Released Party, but excluding (a)

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 out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred by the Executive prior to the
Effective Date under Company policy in effect upon the incurrence thereof and
(b) any right to indemnification applicable to periods prior to the Effective
Date.

     12.     Miscellaneous.

     (a)  Non-Waiver of Rights. The failure to enforce at any time the
provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other
party of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a
waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or
any part hereof, or the right of either party to enforce each and every
provision in accordance with its terms. No waiver by either party hereto at any
time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar conditions or provisions at
that time or at any prior or subsequent time.

     (b)  Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be given in
writing, by personal delivery, by confirmed facsimile transmission (with a copy
sent by express delivery) or by registered or certified mail, or by express
delivery via express mail or any reputable courier service, in each case
addressed as follows (or to such other address as may be designated):

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
If to the Company:
	 	110 East 59th Street

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Secretary

Fax: (212) 906-8479
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
If to the Executive:
	 	Lauren Blair

52 Glenview Road

South Orange, NJ 07079

Notices which are delivered personally, by confIrmed facsimile transmission, or
by courier as aforesaid, shall be effective on the date of delivery.

     (c)  Binding Effect: Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors,

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 personal representatives, estates, successors (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) and assigns.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, the
Executive shall not assign all or any portion of this Agreement without the
prior written consent of the Company.

     (d)  Withholding. The Company shall withhold or cause to be withheld from
any payments made pursuant to this Agreement all federal, state, city or other
taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any law or governmental
regulation or ruling.

     (e)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete
understanding between the parties with respect to the Executive’s employment
and supersedes any other prior oral or written agreements, arrangements or
understandings between the Executive and any member of the Company Affiliated
Group. Without limiting the generality of the Plan or Section 11 of this
Agreement or this Section 12(e), effective as of the Effective Date, this
Agreement supersedes any existing employment, retention, severance and
change-in-control agreements or similar arrangements or understandings
(collectively, the “Prior Agreements”) between the Executive and the Company
and any member of the Company Affiliated Group, and any and all claims under or
in respect of the Prior Agreements that the Executive may have or assert on or
following the Effective Date shall be governed by and completely satisfied and
discharged in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No
agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with
respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are
not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

     (f)  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any application
thereof to any circumstances, is invalid, in whole or in part, such provision
or application shall to that extent be severable and shall not affect other
provisions or applications of this Agreement.

     (g)  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and

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 construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York,
without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.

     (h)  Modifications. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be
modified, altered, amended or waived except by an instrument in writing duly
signed by the party to be charged.

     (i)  Number and Headings. Whenever any words used herein are in the
singular form, they shall be construed as though they were also used in the
plural form in all cases where they would so apply. The headings contained
herein are solely for purposes of reference, are not part of this Agreement and
shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     (j)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in 2 or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(signature page follows)

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by authority of its Board of Directors, and the Executive has executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written, in each case effective as
of the Effective Date.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NTL COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
/s/
	 	J. Barclay Knapp
	 	 	

	 	 	
By
	 	J. Barclay Knapp
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	
Its
	 	President
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
EXECUTIVE
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
/s/
	 	Lauren Hochman Blair
	 	 	

16EX10.16: FORM OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER INDEMNITY AGMT.

 

Exhibit 10.16

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT, dated as of January 10, 2003, between NTL Incorporated, a
Delaware corporation and its affiliated entities (the “Company”), and
separately with each director and officer of the Company (the “Indemnitee”).

     WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company;

     WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of
litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and officers of
public companies in today’s environment;

     WHEREAS, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Amended and Restated
By-laws of the Company (the “By-laws”) require the Company to indemnify and
advance expenses to its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted
by law and the Indemnitee has been serving and continues to serve as a director
or officer of the Company in part in reliance on such provisions;

     WHEREAS, Section 145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
“DGCL”) expressly recognizes that the indemnification provisions of the DGCL
are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification
may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, and this Agreement is being entered into
pursuant to such provision;

     WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection
against any potential personal liability in order to assure Indemnitee’s
continued service to the Company in an effective manner and Indemnitee’s
reliance on the aforesaid provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws and in part to provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance
that the protection promised by the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any
amendment to or revocation or any change in the composition of the Company’s
Board of Directors or acquisition of the Company), the Company wishes to
provide in this Agreement for the Indemnification of and the advancing of
expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete)
permitted by law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent
insurance is maintained, for the continued coverage of the Indemnitee under the
Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and of
Indemnitee continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with
another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1

 

	1.0	 	 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

     (a) 
Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any
“person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a
corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company,
is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more
of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting
securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or
nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of
at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were
directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a
majority thereof, or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or entity, other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either
by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least 80% of the total voting power represented by the
voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the
Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement
for the sale or disposition by the Company, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, of all or substantially all the Company’s assets.

     (b) 
Claim: is any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted by or on behalf
of the Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith believes might
lead to the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other.

     (c)  Expenses: include attorneys’ and other professional fees and all other
costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with
investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on
appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in, any Claim
relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

     (d) 
Indemnifiable Event: is (i) any event or occurrence related to the
fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or
fiduciary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as
a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, or by reason of
anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity; and (ii) any
event or occurrence related to the Indemnitee’s actions or inaction undertaken
in connection with the Company’s steps relating to the POS Regulations, or the
fact that prior to the January 10, 2003 consummation of the Company’s plan of
reorganization (the

2

 

“Plan”) such Indemnitee was a prospective director of the Company or any
affiliate thereof or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee or
the Company in any such capacity, including, but not limited to, any action
taken in such capacity in connection with the consummation of the Plan.

     (e) 
Indemnification Period: shall be such period as the Indemnitee shall
continue to serve as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the
Company, or shall continue at the request of the Company to serve as a
director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, and thereafter
so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Claim arising out of
the Indemnitee’s tenure in the foregoing positions.

     (f) 
Losses: are any judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in
settlement (including all interest assessments and other charges paid or
payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, fines, penalties or
amounts paid in settlement) of any Claim.

     (g) 
POS Regulations: shall mean the UK Public Offers of Securities
Regulations 1995.

     (h) 
Reviewing Party: shall mean (i) the Board of Directors (provided
that a majority of directors are not parties to the Claim), (ii) a person or body
selected by the Board of Directors or (iii) if there has been a Change in
Control, the special independent counsel referred to in subsection 3(c) hereof.

	2.0	 	 INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

     Subject to the limitations set forth herein and in Section 3 hereof, the
Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee as follows:

     (a) 
Basic Indemnification. The Company shall hold harmless and indemnify
Indemnitee to the fullest extent authorized or permitted (i) by the DGCL, or
any other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws as
in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) by any amendment of any of the above
authorizing or permitting such indemnification which is adopted after the date
hereof (but in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such
amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than
the Company was permitted to provide immediately prior to such amendment).

     (b) 
Additional Indemnification. Without limiting the generality of
subsection 2(a) hereof, in the event Indemnitee is, was or becomes a party to
or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or
witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of, or arising, in whole or
in part, out of or in connection with an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall
indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as soon as
practicable after written demand is presented to the Company, against any and
all Expenses and Losses related to or arising, in whole or in

3

 

part, out of or in connection with such Claim in accordance with the procedures
set forth in the By-laws (or, to the extent that the By-laws are not expressly
applicable to such claim, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
By-laws as though such procedures were applicable to such claim).

     (c) 
Advancement of Expenses. In the event Indemnitee is, was or becomes a
party to or witness or other participant in any Claim by reason of an
Indemnifiable Event, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other
participant in, a Claim by reason of, or arising out of, in whole or in part,
or in connection with an Indemnifiable Event, if so requested by Indemnitee,
the Company shall advance (within two business days of receipt of such request)
any and all related Expenses to Indemnitee. In addition, the Company shall
indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses and, if requested by
Indemnitee, shall advance (within two business days of receipt of such request)
such expenses to Indemnitee which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with
any action brought by Indemnitee for (i) indemnification or advance payment of
Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or Company
By-law now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events
and/or (ii) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately
is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment
or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

     (d) 
Partial Indemnity, Etc. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision
of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of
the Losses or Expenses, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof,
the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to
which Indemnitee is entitled. Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an
Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including
dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all
Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

     (e) 
Contribution. In the event that, as a result of the foregoing
indemnity being unavailable to the Indemnitee because such indemnification is
determined to be unenforceable, the Company shall contribute to the Losses and
Expenses paid or payable by such Indemnitee in respect of any Claim by reason
of, or arising, in whole or in part, out of or in connection with an
Indemnifiable Event, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Indemnitee, on the
other hand, in connection with the matters as to which such Losses or Expenses
relate.

	3.0	 	 GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION.

     (a) 
Determination of Reviewing Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i)
the obligations of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof shall be subject
to the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not have determined (based on a
written opinion of outside counsel in all cases) that Indemnitee would not be
permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, and (ii) the obligation of
the Company to make Expense advances shall

4

 

be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing
Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified
under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by
Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts
theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or
thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to
secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable
law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be
permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and
Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advancement
of Expenses until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto
(as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) and
the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance to Indemnitee any
additional amounts covered by such Reviewing Party determination (unless there
has been a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that the
Indemnitee would be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law).

     If there has been no determination by the Reviewing Party or if the
Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted
to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall
have the right to commence litigation in any court in the States of New York or
Delaware seeking an order or judgment by the court equivalent to the
determination of the Reviewing Party or challenging any such determination by
the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof. Any determination by the Reviewing
Party otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

     (b) 
Burden of Proof. In connection with any determination by the
Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be
indemnified under this Agreement, the burden of proof shall be on the Company
to establish by clear and convincing evidence that Indemnitee is not so
entitled.

     (c) 
Change in Control of Company. The Company agrees that if there is a
Change in Control of the Company, then with respect to all matters thereafter
arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and expense
advances under this Agreement, any other agreements, the Certificate of
Incorporation or the By-laws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for
Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from special
independent counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company’s Board
of Directors (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has
not otherwise performed services for the Company (other than in connection with
such matters) or Indemnitee. Without limiting the Company’s obligation under
the immediately preceding sentence not to unreasonably withhold its consent to
counsel selected by Indemnitee, in the event that Indemnitee and the Company
are unable to agree on the selection of the special independent counsel, such
special independent counsel shall be selected by lot from among at least five
nationally recognized law firms each in New York City, New York, each having no
less than 250 lawyers. Such selection shall be made in the presence of
Indemnitee (and his legal counsel or either of them, as Indemnitee may elect).
Such special independent counsel, among other things, shall

5

 

determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee would be permitted to be
indemnified under applicable law and shall render its written opinion to the
Company and Indemnitee to such effect.

     The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the special independent
counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and
all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

	4.0	 	 NO MODIFICATION.

     No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be
binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a
waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such
waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Any waiver to this agreement shall be
in writing.

	5.0	 	 SUBROGATION.

     In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be
subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of
Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that
may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such
documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce
such rights.

	6.0	 	 NO DUPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.

     The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment
in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee
has otherwise actually received payment from the Company (under any insurance
policy obtained by the Company or otherwise, and including payment made
directly to the Indemnitee by an insurer under such an insurance policy) of the
amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

	7.0	 	 EFFECTIVENESS.

     This Agreement shall be of full force and effect immediately upon its
execution.

	8.0	 	 NOTIFICATION AND DEFENSE OF CLAIM.

     Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any
Claim, Indemnitee will, if a request for indemnification in respect thereof is
to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than
under this Agreement. With respect to

6

 

any such Claim as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement
thereof:

     (a)  the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own
expense; and

     (b)  except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish,
the Company jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified will
be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to
assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under
this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the
right to employ its counsel in such Claim, but the fees and expenses of such
counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense
thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of
counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall
have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the
Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Claim or (iii)
the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of
such Claim, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at
the expense of the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any Claim brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the
Indemnitee shall have made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) of this
subsection 8(b).

     (c)  The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this
Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim effected without its
prior written consent. The Company shall not settle any Claim in any manner
which would impose any penalty, limitation, admission, Loss or Expense on the
Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent. Neither the Company
nor the Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold their consent to any proposed
settlement, provided that Indemnitee may, in his sole discretion, withhold
consent to any proposed settlement that would impose any penalty, limitation,
admission, Loss or Expense on the Indemnitee.

	9.0	 	NO PRESUMPTIONS.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim against
Indemnitee by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court
approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent,
shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular
standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has
determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law. In
addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party to have made a
determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of
conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the
Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not
have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee
to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under
applicable law shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim for

7

 

indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any
particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief.

	10.0	 	 NON-EXCLUSIVITY.

     The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall not be deemed exclusive and
shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the DGCL,
the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws or otherwise, and to the extent
that during the Indemnification Period the rights of the then existing
directors and officers are more favorable to such directors or officers than
the rights currently provided thereunder or under this Agreement to Indemnitee,
Indemnitee shall be entitled to the full benefits of such more favorable rights
to the extent permitted by law. To the extent that a change in the DGCL
(whether by statute or judicial decision) permits broader indemnification by
agreement than would be afforded under this Agreement, any other agreement, the
Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, it is the intent of the parties
hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so
afforded by such change. Other than as set forth in this paragraph 10, in the
case of any inconsistency between the indemnification provisions of this
Agreement and any other agreement relating to the indemnification of an
Indemnitee the indemnification provisions of this Agreement shall control.

	11.0	 	 LIABILITY INSURANCE

     The company shall maintain an insurance policy or policies providing
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that provides that Indemnitee
shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their
terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director
or officer and in amounts and for coverage reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee.
Notice of any termination or failure to renew such policy shall be provided to
Indemnitee promptly upon the Company’s becoming aware of such termination or
failure to renew. The Company shall provide copies of all such insurance
policies and any endorsements thereto whenever such documents have been
provided to the Company.

	12.0	 	 BINDING EFFECT.

     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns,
including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation
or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company, spouses, heirs and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement
shall continue in effect during the Indemnification Period, regardless of
whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer or director of the Company
or of any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

	13.0	 	 PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS.

8

 

     No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted
by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse,
heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of
one-year from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or
cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless
asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such one-year period;
provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise
applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

	14.0	 	 SEVERABILITY.

     The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any
provision hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or
sentence) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable
to the fullest extent permitted by law provided, however, that any such
invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable provision shall be considered not
severable if and to the extent that its omission from this Agreement would or
may materially alter or affect the intent or effect of this Agreement. In such
event, the parties shall use their reasonable efforts to replace any such
invalid, void, or unenforceable provision with provisions that most closely
reflect their intent and effect.

	15.0	 	 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE.

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made
and to be performed in such state without giving effect to the principles of
conflicts of laws. Any action relating to the performance of this Agreement
shall be brought either in the State of New York or Delaware, at the option of
the party commencing such action.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	NTL INCORPORATED
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
By:	 	 
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	Name:

Title:
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
By:	 	 
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	Name:

Title:

9

 

SCHEDULE A

     The Company has provided the Director and Officer Indemity Agreement to
the following persons:

Jeffrey Benjamin

James Bolin

David Elstein

William R. Huff

Barclay Knapp

George Zoffinger

Lauren Hochman Blair

Gregg N. Gorelick

Richard J. Lubasch

Bret Richter

10

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