Decision of the European Central Bank of 24 July 2007 concerning the terms and conditions of TARGET2-ECB (ECB/2007/7) (2007/601/EC)

Terms of reference for country opinions for non-EEA participants in TARGET2

The European Central Bank

Kaiserstrasse 29

D-60311 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

TARGET2-ECB

[location], [date]

Dear Sir or Madam,

We have been asked as [external] legal advisers to [specify name of Participant or branch of Participant] (the Participant) in respect of issues arising under the laws of [jurisdiction in which the Participant is established; hereinafter the ‘jurisdiction’] to provide this Opinion under the laws of [jurisdiction] in connection with the participation of the Participant in a system which is a component of TARGET2 (hereinafter the ‘System’). References herein to the laws of [jurisdiction] include all applicable regulations of [jurisdiction]. We express an opinion herein under the law of [jurisdiction], with particular regard to the Participant established outside the Federal Republic of Germany in relation to rights and obligations arising from participation in the System, as presented in the System Documents defined below.

This Opinion is confined to the laws of [jurisdiction] as they exist on the date of this Opinion. We have made no investigation of the laws of any other jurisdiction as a basis for this Opinion, and do not express or imply any opinion in this regard. We have assumed that there is nothing in the laws of another jurisdiction which affects this Opinion.

1. DOCUMENTS EXAMINED

For the purposes of this Opinion, we have examined the documents listed below and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate:

(1)

the terms and conditions of TARGET2-ECB dated [insert date] (hereinafter the ‘Rules’); and

(2)

any other document governing the System and/or the relationship between the Participant and other participants in the System, and between the participants in the System and the ECB.

The Rules and the […] shall be referred to hereinafter as the ‘System Documents’.

2. ASSUMPTIONS

For the purposes of this Opinion we have assumed in relation to the System Documents that:

(1)

the System Documents are within the capacity and power of and have been validly authorised, adopted or executed and, where necessary, delivered by the relevant parties;

(2)

the terms of the System Documents and the rights and obligations created by them are valid and legally binding under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, by which they are expressed to be governed, and the choice of the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany to govern the System Documents is recognised by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany;

(3)

the participants in the System through which any payment orders are sent or payments are received, or through which any rights or obligations under the System Documents are executed or performed, are licensed to provide funds transfer services, in all relevant jurisdictions; and

(4)

the documents submitted to us in copy or as specimens conform to the originals.

3. OPINION

Based on and subject to the foregoing, and subject in each case to the points set out below, we are of the opinion that:

3.1. Country-specific legal aspects [to the extent applicable]

The following characteristics of the legislation of [jurisdiction] are consistent with and in no way set aside the obligations of the Participant arising out of the System Documents: [list of country-specific legal aspects].

3.2. General insolvency issues

3.2.a Types of insolvency proceedings

The only types of insolvency proceedings (including composition or rehabilitation) — which, for the purpose of this Opinion, shall include all proceedings in respect of the Participant's assets or any branch it may have in [jurisdiction] — to which the Participant may become subject in [jurisdiction], are the following: [list proceedings in original language and English translation] (together collectively referred to as ‘Insolvency Proceedings’).

In addition to Insolvency Proceedings, the Participant, any of its assets, or any branch it may have in [jurisdiction] may become subject in [jurisdiction] to [list any applicable moratorium, receivership, or any other proceedings as a result of which payments to and/or from the Participant may be suspended, or limitations can be imposed in relation to such payments, or similar proceedings in original language and English translation] (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘Proceedings’).

3.2.b Insolvency treaties

[jurisdiction] or certain political subdivisions within [jurisdiction], as specified, is/are party to the following insolvency treaties: [specify, if applicable which have or may have an impact on this Opinion].

3.3. Enforceability of System Documents

Subject to the points set out below, all provisions of the System Documents will be binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms under the laws of [jurisdiction], in particular in the event of the opening of any Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings with respect to the Participant.

In particular, we are of the opinion that:

3.3.a Processing of payment orders

The provisions on processing of payment orders [list of sections] of the Rules are valid and enforceable. In particular, all payment orders processed pursuant to such sections will be valid, binding and will be enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction]. The provision of the Rules which specifies the precise point in time at which payment orders submitted by the Participant to the System become enforceable and irrevocable (Article 20 of the Rules) is valid, binding and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction].

3.3.b Authority of the ECB to perform its functions

The opening of Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings in respect of the Participant will not affect the authority and powers of the ECB arising out of the System Documents. [Specify [to the extent applicable] that: the same opinion is also applicable in respect of any other entity which provides the Participants with services directly and necessarily required for participating in the System (e.g. network service provider)].

3.3.c Remedies in the event of default

[Where applicable to the Participant, the provisions contained in Article 30 of the Rules regarding accelerated performance of claims which have not yet matured, the set-off of claims for using the deposits of the Participant, the enforcement of a pledge, suspension and termination of participation, claims for default interest, and termination of agreements and transactions (Articles 27-31 of the Rules) are valid and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction].]

3.3.d Suspension and termination

Where applicable to the Participant, the provisions contained in Articles 27 and 28 of the Rules (in respect of suspension and termination of the Participant's participation in the System on the opening of Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings or other events of default, as defined in the System Documents, or if the Participant represents any kind of systemic risk or has serious operational problems) are valid and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction].

3.3.e Assignment of rights and obligations

The rights and obligations of the Participant cannot be assigned, altered or otherwise transferred by the Participant to third parties without the prior written consent of the ECB.

3.3.f Choice of governing law and jurisdiction

The provisions contained in Articles 34 and 38 of the Rules, and in particular in respect of the governing law, the resolution of a dispute, competent courts, and service of process are valid and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction].

3.4. Voidable preferences

We are of the opinion that no obligation arising out of the System Documents, the performance thereof, or compliance therewith prior to the opening of any Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings in respect of the Participant may be set aside in any such proceedings as a preference, voidable transaction or otherwise under the laws of [jurisdiction].

In particular, and without limitation to the foregoing, we express this opinion in respect of any payment orders submitted by any participant in the System. In particular, we are of the opinion that the provisions of Article 20 of the Rules establishing the enforceability and irrevocability of payment orders will be valid and enforceable and that a payment order submitted by any participant and processed pursuant to Title IV of the Rules may not be set aside in any Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings as a preference, voidable transaction or otherwise under the laws of [jurisdiction].

3.5. Attachment

If a creditor of the Participant seeks an attachment order (including any freezing order, order for seizure or any other public or private law procedure that is intended to protect the public interest or the rights of the Participant's creditors) — hereinafter referred to as an ‘Attachment’ — under the laws of [jurisdiction] from a court or governmental, judicial or public authority that is competent in [jurisdiction], we are of the opinion that [insert the analysis and discussion].

3.6. Collateral [if applicable]

3.6.a Assignment of rights or deposit of assets for collateral purposes, pledge, repo and/or guarantee

Assignments for collateral purposes will be valid and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction]. Specifically, the creation and enforcement of a pledge or repo under the Rules will be valid and enforceable under the laws of [jurisdiction]. In the event that a guarantee from another legal entity is required for adherence of the Participant in the System, this guarantee will be binding on the guarantor and fully enforceable against it, without any limit with regard to the amount of the guarantee, whatever the Participant's situation.

3.6.b Priority of assignees’, pledgees’ or repo purchasers’ interest over that of other claimants

In the event of Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings in respect of the Participant, the rights or assets assigned for collateral purposes, or pledged by the Participant in favour of the ECB or other participants in the System, will rank in priority of payment above the claims of all other creditors of the Participant and will not be subject to priority or preferential creditors.

3.6.c Enforcing title to security

Even in the event of Insolvency Proceedings or Proceedings in respect of the Participant, other participants in the System and the ECB as pledgees will still be free to enforce and collect the Participant's rights or assets through the action of the ECB pursuant to the Rules.

3.6.d Form and registration requirements

There are no form requirements for the assignment for collateral purposes of, or the creation and enforcement of a pledge or repo over the Participant's rights or assets and it is not necessary for the assignment for collateral purposes, pledge or repo, as applicable, or any particulars of such assignment, pledge or repo, as applicable, to be registered or filed with any court or governmental, judicial or public authority that is competent in [jurisdiction].

3.7. Branches [to the extent applicable]

3.7.a Opinion applies to action through branches

Each of the statements and opinions presented above with regard to the Participant applies with equal accuracy and validity under the laws of [jurisdiction] in situations where the Participant acts through its one or more of its branches established outside [jurisdiction].

3.7.b Conformity with law

Neither the execution and performance of the rights and obligations under the System Documents nor the submission, transmission or receipt of payment orders by a branch of the Participant will in any respect breach the laws of [jurisdiction].

3.7.c Required authorisations

Neither the execution and performance of the rights and obligations under the System Documents nor the submission, transmission or receipt of payment orders by a branch of a Participant will require any additional authorisations, approvals, consents, filings, registrations, notarisations or other certifications of or with any court or governmental, judicial or public authority that is competent in [jurisdiction].

This Opinion is stated as of its date and is addressed solely to the ECB and the [Participant]. No other persons may rely on this Opinion, and the contents of this Opinion may not be disclosed to persons other than its intended recipients and their legal counsel without our prior written consent, with the exception of the national central banks of the European System of Central Banks [and [the national central bank/relevant regulatory authorities] of [jurisdiction]].

Yours faithfully,

[signature]