[2021] VSC 389
General information, not legal advice.
Supreme Court of Victoria
2021-06-15
Riordan J
Original judgment source is linked above.
CORPORATIONS LAW - Members' scheme of arrangement - Where order sought under s 411(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - Preconditions for orders convening a meeting - Discretionary considerations considered - Orders that a meeting be convened.
TRUSTEES - Judicial advice under r 54.02(2)(c) of the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015 (Vic) - Whether trustee justified in convening a meeting of trust unitholders for the purpose of considering a proposed acquisition of units - Orders that the trustee was justified in convening a meeting.
For Dexus Nominee Pty Ltd and Dexus Funds Management Ltd
(a) the shares in APN PG would be acquired by the Bidder pursuant to a scheme of arrangement ('the APN PG Scheme'); and
(b) the units in the APD Trust would be acquired by amendments to the constitution of the APD Trust to give effect to a trust scheme ('the Trust Scheme'),
(a) an explanatory memorandum (Scheme Booklet) to Trust Unitholders which, among other things, explains the purpose and effect of the Trust Scheme; and
(b) a proxy form, together with the Scheme Booklet.
(a) the Bidder will acquire all of the APD Securities on payment to the APD Security Holders of 90 cents for each APD Security ('the Scheme Consideration'); and
(b) the distribution of 1.5 cents per APD Security to each APD Security Holder, announced on 11 June 2021, will still be paid on 30 July 2021 ('the Permitted Distribution').
Legislative preconditions with respect to the APN PG Scheme
(a) an application to a court for an order to convene a scheme meeting;
(c) an application to a court to approve the scheme.
(a) as prescribed by s 411 of the Act:
(i) APN PG has made the application in relation to an arrangement that is proposed between a company (being a pt 5.1 body) and its members; and
(ii) fourteen days' notice of the hearing of the application has been given to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ('ASIC'); and ASIC has had a reasonable opportunity to examine the terms of the proposed arrangement and the draft explanatory statement, and to make submissions to the Court; and
(b) as prescribed by r 3.2 of the Supreme Court (Corporations) Rules 2013 (Vic), the plaintiff has filed an affidavit with the requisite information about the chairperson and alternate chairperson for the scheme meeting.
(a) the application is in relation to a scheme to effect an acquisition of shares from APN PG's members, which is an arrangement within the meaning of the section;[1]
(b) the requisite notice has been given to ASIC which, by letter dated 14 June 2021, has stated that it 'does not currently propose to appear to make submissions, or intervene to oppose the Scheme, at the first hearing under subsection 411(1) of the Act'; and
(c) by affidavits of Mr Christopher Aylward and Mr Clive Appleton both affirmed 10 June 2021, information with respect to the chairperson and the alternate chairperson has been provided.
Discretionary factors with respect to the APN PG Scheme
(a) whether the scheme is fit for consideration by the members such that, if it is agreed to by the members, the Court would be likely to approve it at the second court hearing; and
(b) whether members are properly informed as to the nature of the scheme.[3]
(a) the obligation to transfer the APD Securities is subject to the Bidder first providing the Scheme Consideration; and
(b) the Bidder and the Guarantor have executed a deed poll in favour of the APD Security Holders binding them to comply with the Schemes, including paying the Scheme Consideration.
(a) if a third party acquires all or the majority of the APD Securities after publicly announcing a competing proposal before the second court hearing;
(b) the directors withdraw or adversely modify their recommendation in favour of the resolutions; or
(c) the Bidder terminates the Scheme Implementation Deed for material breach by APD.
(a) It would be unlikely to influence voting at the meeting because it is not payable if the APD Security Holders reject the scheme.
(b) It does not exceed 1% of the equity value of APD.[4]
(c) It was the subject of commercial arms-length negotiations.
(a) The Bidder is not currently an APD Security Holder and will not receive the Permitted Distribution.
(b) The effect of the Permitted Distribution is only to reduce the consideration payable in accordance with the reduction to the net assets of APD consequential on the distribution.
(c) The declaration of the Permitted Distribution is at the election of APD.
I am satisfied that the performance rights or options held by some employees do not give rise to a separate class of members. It is worth noting at the outset that the rights will not vest until after the meeting to approve the scheme is held. Accordingly, the issue of additional shares will not influence the voting at the meeting directly. The question is whether the rights and options themselves (and the prospect of additional shares upon their vesting) gives rise to a divergence of interests with other shareholders. I do not consider that it does. The shares to be issued if the rights or options vest are not of a different type than those of other shareholders. Moreover, it appears to me that the employees with performance rights or options are in no different position from any other employee of the company who would be impacted by the scheme's implementation in different ways on the basis of various interests extraneous to their status as members.[5]
... so dissimilar from the rights of the other ... shareholders as to make it impossible for them to consult together with a view to their common interest. Or put another way, do the differences in rights ... mean that any community of interest between them has been displaced for the purposes of them considering and voting upon the proposed Scheme... .[6]
Members will be properly informed as to the nature of the scheme
(a) first, the explanatory statement must explain the effect of the compromise or arrangement, and in particular state any material interest of the directors, and the effect on those interests of the compromise or arrangement so far as it is different from the effect on the like interests of other persons. The effect of the Schemes is addressed in section 5 and 7 of the Scheme Booklet, and the required information in relation to the material interests of Directors is addressed in sections 8.14 - 8.17 of the Scheme Booklet;
(b) secondly, the explanatory statement must set out the prescribed information, being the information set out in reg 5.1.01 and Schedule 8 of the Regulations. This requirement has been satisfied;
(c) thirdly, the explanatory statement must set out any other information that is material to the making of a decision whether or not to agree to the compromise or arrangement. In this respect, it is submitted that the Scheme Booklet is clear and comprehensive, and (along with the IER) contains a detailed evaluation of the Schemes, presented in a way that enables an APD Securityholder to form his or her own view of the merits of the Schemes.
(a) the checklist exhibited to the affidavit of Ms Susannah Macknay sworn 11 June 2021; and
(b) the fact that the draft explanatory statement was provided to ASIC on 27 May 2021, and that by letter dated 14 June 2021, ASIC confirmed it has had a reasonable opportunity to examine it in accordance with ASIC policy contained in 'Regulatory Guide 60 Schemes of arrangement' and does not currently oppose the scheme.
(a) section 601GC(1)(a) of the Act, which provides that the constitution of a registered scheme may be modified by special resolution, being at least 75% of the votes cast by members entitled to vote;[8] and
(b) section 611, item 7 of the Act, which provides for an exception to the prohibition of increasing a person's voting power in a target company above 20% in s 606(1) of the Act, if the members of the target company approve the acquisition by ordinary resolution at a general meeting (being 50% or more of the votes cast).
(a) the determination of any question which could be determined in an administration proceeding ...
...
(c) an order -
(i) approving any sale, purchase, compromise or other transaction by an executor, administrator or trustee; or
(ii) directing any act to be done in the administration of an estate or in the execution of a trust which the Court could order to be done if the estate or trust were being administered or executed under the direction of the Court.
(a) the plaintiff, APN Property Group Limited (ACN 109 846 068) (APN PG) convene and hold a meeting (APN PG Scheme Meeting) of holders of fully paid ordinary shares in APN PG (APD Shareholders) for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, agreeing (with or without modification) to a scheme of arrangement (APN PG Scheme) proposed between APN PG and APD Shareholders, the terms of which are set out in Annexure A to these orders;
(b) the APN PG Scheme Meeting is to be held at 10:00 am on 27 July 2021 (Melbourne time) and is to be conducted electronically through an online platform without APD Shareholders being physically present, such online platform to be accessed via the following web address https://agmlive.link/APDSCHEME.
The APN PG Scheme Meeting be convened by sending on or before the date that is at least 28 days prior to the APN PG Scheme Meeting:
(a) an email to the nominated email address of each APD Shareholder who has elected to receive communications from APN PG electronically (Email Shareholder), with such email to contains links to:
an electronic copy of a document substantially in the form of the Scheme Booklet at Exhibit 1 (which contains, among other things, the proposed APN PG Scheme at Annexure D and a Notice of Meeting at Annexure A) (Scheme Booklet);
an online portal or website that is accessible by the Email Shareholder and which enables the Email Shareholder to lodge their proxy for the APN PG Scheme Meeting online; and
an online portal or website that enables APD Shareholders to participate virtually in the APN PG Scheme Meeting;
(b) the following hard-copy documents to each APD Shareholder who is not an Email Shareholder (Hard Copy Shareholder):
a document substantially in the form of the Scheme Booklet;
a personalised proxy form for the APN PG Scheme Meeting, substantially in the form of the document that is at page 165 of exhibit SCM-1 to the affidavit of Susannah Macknay sworn on 11 June 2021 (Proxy Form), and a pre-addressed envelope for the return of completed Proxy Form.
4 The documents referred to in paragraph 3(b) be sent:
(a) in the case of Hard Copy Shareholders whose postal address is shown on the register of members of APN PG as being within Australia, by pre-paid ordinary post to that address; and
(b) in the case of Hard Copy Shareholders whose postal address is shown on the register of members of APN PG as being outside Australia, by airmail to that address.
7 Pursuant to section 1319 of the Act:
(a) APN PG may determine that, for the purposes of the APN PG Scheme Meeting, all the shares in APN PG be taken to be held by the person, persons or bodies corporate who held them as at 10:10 am (Melbourne time) on 25 July 2021, in accordance with the register held and maintained by APN PG;
(b) a proxy in respect of the APN PG Scheme Meeting will be valid and effective if, and only if, a Proxy Form is completed and delivered in accordance with its terms or a proxy is lodged online in accordance with the instructions by 10:10 am (Melbourne time) on 25 July 2021;
(c) the Chairperson of the APN PG Scheme Meeting be Christopher Aylward or in his absence, Clive Appleton;
(d) the Chairperson of the APN PG Scheme Meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting in his absolute discretion to such time, date and place (including as to whether the adjourned meeting should be held electronically) as he considers appropriate; and
(e) voting on the resolution to agree to the APN PG Scheme is to be conducted by way of a poll.
8 Compliance with rule 3.4 and Form 6 of the Rules is dispensed with.
12 The inquiry required by rule 16.6 of the Rules take place on 29 July 2021.
(a) convening and holding a meeting (Trust Scheme Meeting) of the holders of units in the APD Trust (Trust Unitholders) for the purpose of the Trust Unitholders considering and, if thought fit, agreeing (with or without modification) to the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the APD Trust as set out the APD Trust Supplemental Deed (a copy of which is at Annexure E to the Scheme Booklet which is Exhibit 1 (Scheme Booklet)) pursuant to which the ordinary units in APD Trust will be acquired by Dexus Nominee Pty Ltd (Trust Scheme); and
(b) holding the Trust Scheme Meeting at 10:10 am on 27 July 2021 (Melbourne time) or immediately following the APN PG Scheme Meeting, whichever is the later, the meeting to be conducted electronically through an online platform without Trust Unitholders being physically present, such online platform to be accessed via the following web address https://agmlive.link/APDSCHEME.
APN RE is justified in distributing to Trust Unitholders a document substantially in the form of the Scheme Booklet (which includes an explanatory statement in relation to the Trust Scheme as well as a Notice of Meeting for the Trust Scheme Meeting) by sending on or before the date that is at least 28 days prior to the APN PG Scheme Meeting:
(a) an email to the nominated email address of each Trust Unitholder who has elected to receive communications from APN RE electronically (Email Unitholder), with such email to contains links to:
(i) an electronic copy of a document substantially in the form of the Scheme Booklet;
(ii) an online portal or website that is accessible by the Email Unitholder and which enables the Email Unitholder to lodge their proxy for the Trust Scheme Meeting online; and
(iii) an online portal or website that enables Trust Unitholders to participate virtually in the Trust Scheme Meeting;
(b) the following hard-copy documents to each Trust Unitholder who is not an Email Unitholder (Hard Copy Unitholder):
(i) a document substantially in the form of the Scheme Booklet;
(ii) a personalised proxy form for the Trust Scheme Meeting substantially in the form of the document that is at page 165 of exhibit SCM-1 to the affidavit of Susannah Macknay sworn on 11 June 2021 (Proxy Form), and a pre-addressed envelope for the return of completed Proxy Form.
3 The documents referred to in paragraph 2(b) be sent:
(a) in the case of Hard Copy Unitholders whose postal address is shown on the register of unitholders of APN RE as being within Australia, by pre-paid ordinary post to that address;
(b) in the case of Hard Copy Unitholders whose postal address is shown on the register of unitholders of APN RE as being outside Australia, by airmail to that address.
[1] See, eg, Re Foundation Healthcare Ltd [2002] FCA 742; (2002) 42 ACSR 252, 264 [39] (French J).
[2] Re Healthscope Ltd [2019] FCA 542; (2019) 139 ACSR 608, 615 [45] (Beach J), quoting Re Foundation Healthcare Ltd [2002] FCA 742; (2002) 42 ACSR 252, 265 [44] (French J).
[3] Re Healthscope Ltd [2019] FCA 542; (2019) 139 ACSR 608, 615 [45]-[46].
[4] Accordingly, it is within the relevant guidelines given by the Takeovers Panel, Australian Government, Guidance Note 7 - Lock-up devices (Issue 4, 11 February 2010) 3 [9].
[5] [2015] VSC 789; (2015) 113 ACSR 525, 542 [82].
[6] [2019] FCA 542; (2019) 139 ACSR 608, 628 [107].
[7] See, eg, Re Foundation Healthcare Ltd [2002] FCA 742; (2002) 42 ACSR 252, 263-4 [38] (French J); Re Opes Prime Stockbroking Ltd (No 2) [2009] FCA 813; (2009) 179 FCR 20, 43 [94]-[99] (Finkelstein J).
[8] See Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 9 (definition of 'special resolution').
[9] Re Mirvac Funds Management Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1569, [2] (Black J).
[10] Re Avita Medical Ltd [2020] FCA 592, [8] (Jagot J), quoted with approval in Re Sienna Cancer Diagnostics Ltd [2020] FCA 899, [11] (Moshinsky J).
(2009) 179 FCR 20