Description of share capital registered under Section 12 of the

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Share Agreements
EX-4.1 2 exhibit41descriptionofshar.htm EX-4.1 Document

EXHIBIT 4.1
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
IBEX Limited (“IBEX”, the “company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) has the following series of securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”):
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common shares of par value $0.0001 per shareIBEXNasdaq Global Market
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
GENERAL
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. We are registered with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda under registration number 52347. We were incorporated on February 28, 2017 under the name “Forward March Limited.” We changed our name to “IBEX Holdings Limited” on September 15, 2017 and then changed our name to IBEX Limited on September 9, 2019. Our registered office is located at Crawford House, 50 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda.
We are authorized to issue up to 108,057,967 common shares at a par value of $0.0001 per share. Certain of our security holders have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering common shares that it holds or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or for other shareholders.
Pursuant to our bye-laws, subject to the requirements of any stock exchange on which our shares are listed and to any resolution of the shareholders to the contrary, our board of directors is authorized to issue any of our authorized but unissued shares.
Pursuant to Bermuda law and our bye-laws, in addition to the common shares described below, our board of directors may, by resolution, establish one or more series of preference shares having such number of shares, designations, dividend rates, relative voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, redemption rights, liquidation rights and other relative participation, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions as may be fixed by the board of directors without any further shareholder approval. Such rights, preferences, powers and limitations, as may be established, could have the effect of discouraging an attempt to obtain control of the company.
COMMON SHARES
The following description of our common shares is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by IBEX’s memorandum of association, IBEX’s bye-laws, the Companies Act and the common law of Bermuda. Copies of IBEX’s memorandum of association and bye-laws are exhibits to our Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Objects of Our Company
We were incorporated by registration under the Companies Act. Our business objects are unrestricted and we have all the powers of a natural person.
Common Shares Ownership
Our memorandum of association and bye-laws do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders. We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”) as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes. The BMA has pursuant to its statement of June 1, 2005 given its general permission under the Bermuda Exchange Control Act 1972 (and its related regulations) for the issue and transfer of our common shares to and between non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, provided our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or any other appointed stock exchange. This general permission would cease to apply if our common shares were to cease to be so listed and in such event specific permission would be required from the BMA for all issues



and transfers of our common shares subject to certain exceptions set out in the BMA statement of June 1, 2005. For so long as our common shares are listed on an appointed stock exchange, there are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of Bermuda to hold or vote our common shares.
In addition, the non-resident designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermuda dollar, and there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares.
No Pre-emptive, Redemption or Conversion Rights
Holders of common shares have no pre-emptive, redemption or conversion rights.
Liquidation
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preferred shares.
Dividend Rights
Under Bermuda law, a company may not declare or pay dividends or make a distribution out of contributed surplus if there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (i) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (ii) that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than its liabilities. Under our bye-laws, each common share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preferred shares. Any cash dividends payable to holders of our common shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Market will be paid to Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., our paying agent in the U.S. for disbursement to those holders.
Variation of Rights
If at any time we have more than one class of shares, the rights attaching to any class, unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of the relevant class, may be varied in accordance with our bye-laws either: (i) with the consent in writing of the holders of 50% of the issued shares of that class; or (ii) with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of the relevant class of shareholders at which a quorum consisting of at least one person holding or representing 25% of the issued shares of the relevant class is present. Our bye-laws specify that the creation or issue of shares ranking equally with existing shares will not, unless expressly provided by the terms of issue of existing shares, vary the rights attached to existing shares. In addition, the creation or issue of preferred shares ranking prior to common shares will not be deemed to vary the rights attached to common shares or, subject to the terms of any other class or series of preferred shares, to vary the rights attached to any other class or series of preferred shares.
Transfer of Shares
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason, refuse to register the transfer of a share that it is not fully paid. Our board of directors may also refuse to recognize an instrument of transfer of a share unless it is accompanied by the relevant share certificate and such other evidence of the transferor’s right to make the transfer as our board of directors shall reasonably require. Subject to these restrictions, a holder of common shares may transfer the title to all or any of his common shares by completing a form of transfer in the form set out in our bye-laws (or as near thereto as circumstances admit) or in such other common form as our board of directors may accept. The instrument of transfer must be signed by the transferor and transferee, although in the case of a fully paid share our board of directors may accept the instrument signed only by the transferor.
Where our shares are listed or admitted to trading on any appointed stock exchange, such as Nasdaq, they will be transferred in accordance with the rules and regulations of such exchange.
Voting Rights and Meetings of Shareholders
Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Under Bermuda law, a company is required to convene at least one general meeting of shareholders each calendar year. However, the shareholders may by resolution waive this requirement, either for a



specific year or period of time, or indefinitely. When the requirement has been so waived, any shareholder may, on notice to the company, terminate the waiver, in which case an annual general meeting must be called. We have chosen not to waive the convening of an annual general meeting.
Bermuda law provides that a special general meeting of shareholders may be called by the board of directors of a company and must be called upon the request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote at general meetings. Bermuda law also requires that shareholders be given at least five days’ advance notice of a general meeting, but the accidental omission to give notice to any person does not invalidate the proceedings at a meeting. This is less than Delaware law, which requires that written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the general meeting. Our bye-laws provide that our board of directors may convene an annual general meeting and the chairman or a majority of our directors then in office may convene a special general meeting. Under our bye-laws, at least five days’ notice of an annual general meeting or a special general meeting must be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting. This notice requirement is subject to the ability to hold such meetings on shorter notice if such notice is agreed: (i) in the case of an annual general meeting by all of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at such meeting; or (ii) in the case of a special general meeting by a majority in number of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting holding not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting.
Subject to the rules of Nasdaq, our bye-laws provide that the quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders is one or more persons present in person at the start of the meeting and representing in person or by proxy in excess of 25% of all issued and outstanding common shares. This is less than Delaware law, which requires that in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting.
Access to Books and Records and Dissemination of Information
Members of the general public have a right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda. These documents include the company’s memorandum of association, including its objects and powers, and certain alterations to the memorandum of association. The shareholders have the additional right to inspect the bye-laws of the company, minutes of general meetings and the company’s audited financial statements, which must be presented in the annual general meeting. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public without charge. The register of members is required to be open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day (subject to the ability of a company to close the register of members for not more than thirty days in a year). A company is required to maintain its share register in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act,

establish a branch register outside of Bermuda. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of directors and officers that is open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our bye-laws provide that our board of directors shall consist of not less than one director and no more than ten directors, with such number to be determined at each annual general meeting.
Our bye-laws provide that any shareholder holding 50% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares will have the right to appoint up to five directors to our board of directors. If there is no such 50% holder, then any shareholder holding 25% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares (first in time as compared to any other 25% shareholder) will have the right to appoint up to five directors to our board of directors.
Any director not appointed by a 25% or more shareholder as described above may be removed by the shareholders provided notice of the shareholders meeting convened to remove the director is given to the director. The notice must contain a statement of the intention to remove the director and a summary of the facts justifying the removal and must be served on the director not less than 14 days before the meeting. The director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.
Bermuda law requires that the Company shall file with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies a list of its directors and must notify the Registrar of any changes in such directors within 30 days of the date of the change.
Proceedings of Board of Directors



Our bye-laws provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of directors. Bermuda law permits individual and corporate directors and there is no requirement in our bye-laws or Bermuda law that directors hold any of our shares. There is also no requirement in our bye-laws or Bermuda law that our directors must retire at a certain age. Decisions taken by the board are decided by a simple majority of votes.
The compensation of our directors is determined by the board of directors, and there is no requirement that a specified number or percentage of “independent” directors must approve any such determination. Our directors may also be paid all travel, hotel and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred by them in connection with our business or their duties as directors.
Our bye-laws provide that a director who discloses a direct or indirect interest in any contract or arrangement with us as required by Bermuda law is entitled to vote in respect of any such contract or arrangement in which he or she is interested unless disqualified from voting by the chairman of the relevant meeting of the board of directors.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 98 of the Companies Act provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise be imposed on them in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, except in cases where such liability arises from fraud or dishonesty of which such director, officer or auditor may be guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 further provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability incurred by them in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda pursuant to section 281 of the Companies Act.
Our bye-laws provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors in respect of their actions and omissions, except in respect of their fraud or dishonesty, and that we shall advance funds to our officers and directors for expenses incurred in their defense upon receipt of an undertaking to repay the funds if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved. Our bye-laws provide that the shareholders waive all claims or rights of action that they might have, individually or in right of the company, against any of the company’s directors or officers for any act or failure to act in the performance of such director’s or officer’s duties, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. Section 98A of the

Companies Act permits us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any officer or director in respect of any loss or liability attaching to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, whether or not we may otherwise indemnify such officer or director. We have purchased and maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability policy for such purpose.
Amendment of Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws
Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may be amended by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders. The Companies Act and our bye-laws provide that no bye-law shall be rescinded, altered or amended, and no new bye-law shall be made, unless it shall have been approved by a resolution of our board of directors and by a resolution of our shareholders.
Under Bermuda law, the holders of an aggregate of not less than 20% in par value of a company’s issued share capital or any class thereof have the right to apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association adopted by shareholders at any general meeting, other than an amendment that alters or reduces a company’s share capital as provided in the Companies Act. Where such an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Supreme Court of Bermuda. An application for an annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within 21 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose. No application may be made by shareholders voting in favor of the amendment.
Any amendment to our bye-laws require the approval of the board and a member resolution passed by 75% of those members attending and entitled to vote.
Amalgamations, Mergers, Business Combinations, Asset Sales
The amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation (other than certain affiliated companies) requires the amalgamation or merger agreement to be approved by the company’s board of directors and by its shareholders.



Under Bermuda law and pursuant to our bye-laws, approval of 50% of the shareholders voting by written resolution or at a shareholder meeting is required to approve the amalgamation or merger agreement, and the quorum for such meeting must be one or more persons holding or representing more than 25% of the issued shares of the company.
Under Bermuda law, in the event of an amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation, a shareholder of the Bermuda company who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation or merger and who is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for such shareholder’s shares may, within one month of notice of the shareholders meeting, apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda to appraise the fair value of those shares.
As a Bermuda company, when authorized by a resolution of the board of directors, we may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets as its board of directors deems in the best interests of the company. This differs from Delaware law, pursuant to which every corporation may at any meeting of the board sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets as its board deems expedient and for the best interests of the corporation when so authorized by a resolution adopted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of a corporation entitled to vote.
Shareholder Suits
Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or illegal, or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.
When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company.
Our bye-laws contain a provision by virtue of which our shareholders waive any claim or right of action that they have, both individually and on our behalf, against any director or officer in relation to any action or failure to take action by such director or officer, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. Waivers of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act or Exchange Act are void under the terms of such acts. Accordingly, the operation of this bye-law provision as a waiver of the right to sue for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws would likely be unenforceable in U.S. courts.
In addition, our bye-laws contain a provision by virtue of which unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will be the exclusive forum for any private action asserting violations by us or any of our directors or officers of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and of all suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability or duty created by those statutes or the rules and regulations under such statutes. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the plaintiff or plaintiffs shall be deemed by this provision of the bye-laws (i) to have consented to removal of the action by us to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in the case of an action filed in a state court, and (ii) to have consented to transfer of the action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404 to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act, and in any event, our shareholders cannot waive compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Capitalization of Profits and Reserves
Pursuant to our bye-laws, our board of directors may (i) capitalize any part of the amount of our share premium or other reserve accounts or any amount credited to our profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up unissued shares to be allotted as fully paid bonus shares pro rata (except in connection with the conversion of shares) to the shareholders; or (ii)



capitalize any sum standing to the credit of a reserve account or sums otherwise available for dividend or distribution by paying up in full, partly paid or nil paid shares of those shareholders who would have been entitled to such sums if they were distributed by way of dividend or distribution.
Registrar or Transfer Agent
A register of holders of the common shares will be maintained in the U.S. by Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., which will serve as registrar and transfer agent.
Untraced Shareholders
Our bye-laws provide that our board of directors may forfeit any dividend or other monies payable in respect of any shares that remain unclaimed for six years from the date when such monies became due for payment. In addition, we are entitled to cease sending dividend warrants and checks by post or otherwise to a shareholder if such instruments have been returned undelivered to, or left uncashed by, such shareholder on at least two consecutive occasions or, following one such occasion, reasonable enquires have failed to establish the shareholder’s new address. This entitlement ceases if the shareholder claims a dividend or cashes a dividend check or a warrant.